Monk Survey on Buddha Art Used for the Spirit Shuttle

Preamble/Abstract

I wanted to learn if my design ideas of joining spiritual replicas like Buddha amulets with loom shuttles and other artifacts were in any way considered inappropriate by the keepers of the Buddhist tradition. In 2009 and early 2010 I hired a translator and we visited 20 Buddhist temples and consulted the resident monks. Here is what I learned.

Purpose

To determine if anything about my various new design combinations of Buddha images with wood artifacts raise any concern for the elder Buddhist monks.

Material and Methods

Visit and consult a numbers of monks at Buddhist temple in the Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Chiang Rai provinces of northern Thailand. No appointments or prescheduling was made. Upon locating a senior monk or his stand in, I and my translator made introductions, which may have included a compliment about the grounds, the structures or, often, any sacred trees present.

Then two or more finished Spirit Shuttles and Spirit Shingles were presented to the monk. It was explained that these were loom shuttles fitted with a replica Buddha figure for use as wall art in the home. We then then asked what they thought of this design, if they had seen it before, how they liked it, and if they had any concern or advice.

Results

20 monks were consulted at 20 temples. Some of the discussions went on in length, often about various aspects of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, conservation of trees at temples, and the like. The general feedback from the monks about the Spirit Shuttle design theme can be summarized as follows:

All the monks indicated the designs were okay as a wall art.
Most said they liked the art and consider it attractive or beautiful.
Two of the 20 expressed a little reservation about a women's artifact coming in contact with a Buddha image.
Many of the monks emphasized that the design needs to be placed up high on the wall to give proper respect to the Lord Buddha image. This was the main admonition.

Discussion

Because we were trying to locate or identify any possible negative sentiments, we asked the monks directly if they had any bad reactions. This of course led them to think in such terms and led, I believe, to more admonitions than might otherwise have been given. As a study meant to determine with some confidence if these designs were indeed not inappropriate, I believe this was the forthright thing to do.

Also, because Thai culture is exceedingly polite and tends to avoid saying anything offensive, I did not want to have etiquette mask the real feelings or beliefs about this design approach. I feel fairly satisfied with both the approach and positive results.

Conclusions

Based on discussions with >20 monks at Buddhist temples, the use of loom shuttle to frame Buddha images for wall art is acceptable and in general are not offensive to authorized keepers of that spiritual tradition. Therefore, while this was a small and informal study, I believe the Spirit Shuttle design has been affirmed as a respectful interpretation of Buddhist art. This was a sincere and truthful effort to get accurate information.

- Leif Joslyn

Information from first seven temples visited, translated into English

Data

Listed below are only partial data from the study. There was considerably more information gathered at one point, and it included all 20 interviews. But the translator failed to complete the contract, disappeared and stole a lot of money in the process. (Note: While Thailand has many temples, monks and kind and honest people, it also has a generous amount of crooks and corruption and incompetence.) The original agreement was to have the interviews written up in both Thai and English. Perhaps one day this will be recovered or repeated.

Temple/Wat Baan Ping
Master Monk Pha ati gon Charlie Garuyano, Head Master of Wat Baan Ping said:
"Loom shuttle are mostly used by Thai women to weave. As for Buddha amulet should be place high Most Thai people hang it around there neck. So if you were to place the Buddha amulet in the loom shuttle would seem inappropriate. As art it looks nice but still should be placed high on the wall. Buddhism community gives a lot important to the Buddha amulet."

Temple/Wat Chai Sriphom
The Monk at this temple said:
"By placing a printed Buddha amulet in the loom shuttle as an Art look beautiful however still need to place it up high as a wall hanging and explain is an art."

Temple/Wat Umone
Pha soupakit said:
"As art it seems fine and it should be hung in a home. As a gift it is good idea."

Temple/Wat Chedi Luang
Bhamt Ajadadhammo said:
"By placing a painted Buddha amulet in the loom shuttle as art it looks beautiful. However you still need to place it up high if you use it as a wall hanging."

Temple/Wat Dow dute
Phra Atikadumrongsak said:
"Thai people gives a lot important to the Buddha amulet it represent the Buddha himself or other famous monks. Thai might take offense to it by placing it in a loom shuttle because loom shuttle are use to weave women fabrics, Looking at it as art is acceptable. But it still needs to be place up high on the wall. It important that people need to know that is an Art. Print Buddha amulet and images are still consider as a Buddha."

Temple/Wat Chiang Man
The monk there said:
"Buddhism is important to a lot of Thai people. Some have really strong beliefs, so one may need to be clearly explain that it art and means no disrespect when the images if of the Buddha or other monks."

Temple/Wat Yed Yod
The monk said:
"It's very beautiful. I have never seen this kind of art before. A good idea. Be sure to place up high, so it is above the viewer."

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