Abstract

• Buddha images take an important part in the study of Buddhist art and artefacts. Besides, from the religious points of view, they also play an important role. Buddha images were made in different styles in different Buddhist countries and regions during ancient times. As they were holy objects for Buddhists, materials were chosen carefully in making them. Today, Buddha images can be discovered in abundance in Buddhist countries. Out of the Buddhist countries, Sri Lanka was not only the foothold of Theravada Buddhism but also a catalyst to spread it to Southeast Asian countries. So it is necessary to study the styles of the Buddha images made in Sri Lanka where Theravada Buddhism flourished to its maximum degree. Out of the Theravada Buddhist countries in Southeast Asia, many stone and bronze Buddha images made in various periods have been found in Thailand, a neighbouring country of Myanmar. This paper aims to compare the styles of the Buddha images from Sri Lanka made during Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Divided Kingdoms periods and those of the Buddha images from Thailand made during Dvaravati and Sukhothai periods. This paper will shed light on how Buddha images were made in Sri Lanka, which is the foothold of Theravada Buddhism, to what extent the styles of Sri Lankan Buddha images influenced those of Thai Buddha images, how Thai Buddha images were modified according to periods and regions, how the faith of the peoples of both countries in Buddhism influenced the styles of the Buddha images and how these two countries contacted each other culturally and religiously.