Political Science in Painting: A Creative Analysis, a Case Study of the Mural Paintings in the Ordination Hall of Wat Bunyawat Wihan, Lampang Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) analyze political science concepts reflected in the murals; 2) examine the connection between the murals and the political, economic, and social contexts during their creation; and 3) propose guidelines for using mural art as a tool for creative political science studies. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, including document analysis, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with experts in Buddhism, political science, sociology, and fine arts. The findings revealed that the 81 murals at Wat Bunyawat Wihan Phra Aram Luang in Lampang do not merely function as religious narratives of the Buddha’s life and Jataka tales. Instead, they act as “political articles” reflecting political ideologies and power relations. Notably, the “Dhammaraja” (Righteous King) ideology was emphasized, whereby the ruler’s legitimacy is grounded in virtue and the patronage of Buddhism. Economically, the paintings depicted the relationship between the secular economy and the “merit economy,” illustrating the use of wealth to support religion. Socially, the murals served as “social documents” recording the structure, values, and shifts in governing power during the reign of King Rama VI, a period when Lampang was under the rule of Chao Bunyawat Wongmanit. The research suggested that murals can be utilized as political communication tools and educational media for creative political science studies to provide a concrete understanding of the dynamics between the state, religion, and Thai society.