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The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Vol. 30 No. 3 Jul.-Sep. 2005 732 SPIRITUALITY IN ART : BUDDHIST VALUES IN THAILAND SPIRITUALITY IN ART : BUDDHIST VALUES IN THAILAND Lertsiri Bovornkitti * Faculty of Fine and Applied Art, Burapha University, Chon Buri, Thailand Abstract The increasing importance of alternative spiritual meanings and values apparent in the modern Western world certainly indicate that the significance and the presence of “spirituality” in art is enhanced. The meaning of the word “spirituality” and the way Thais interpret it will be introduced in order to open a discussion on this concept in contemporary Thai art. The emphasis of the discussion will be the philosophical characteristics and values of the concept of spirituality in art, and of its relationship with Buddhism. The conclusion that Buddhism is the main source of Thai spirituality will be supported by the views of selected Thai artists. In the subsequent phase, Buddhism and its teachings are briefly described along with the significance of Buddhist values in Thailand. Thus, the Thai concept of karma (cause and effect) and kan-tham-bun (merit-making) in relation to Buddhist practices will be discussed in the context of Buddhist values. Overall, this communication will lay the groundwork for understanding the characteristics and values of “spirituality in art” in Thailand as perceived by artists and by the public. The result will be the emergence of a theoretically framed dialogue that provides a basis for understanding the term spirituality in art in the Thai context, and the relationship between Thai art and Buddhism. Key words : spirituality, Buddhism, Thai art * Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Burapha University, Chon Buri, Thailand Spirituality: A Definition According to Webster’s New World English Dictionary 1 , “spiritu- ality” (noun) means spiritual char- acter, quality, or nature : opposed to sensuality, worldliness. From this comes the adjective “spiritual” which means: 1. of the spirit or the soul, of- ten in a religious or moral aspect, as distinguished from the body; 2. of, from, or concerned with the intellect, or what is often thought of as the better or higher part of the mind; 3. of or consisting of spirit; not corporeal; 4. characterized by the ascend- ancy of the spirit; showing much refinement of thought and feeling; 5. of religion or the church; sacred, devotional, or ecclesiastical; not lay or temporal; 6. spiritualistic or supernatural.