Divine Imagination Thai Perspective on Human-Created Deities

The Divine Imagination: A Thai Perspective on Human-Created Deities

In 2008, a visit to Suranaree Technology University in Thailand became a pivotal moment in understanding the profound influence of Indian mythology on Thai culture and the concept of divinity as a human construct. This journey offered a compelling perspective that God is not the creator of humans, but rather a creation born out of human imagination. This hypothesis gains substantial support when examining the Samudra Manthan sculpture at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

A Glimpse into Thai Culture and Mythology

The Samudra Manthan, or the Churning of the Ocean, is a significant episode from Hindu mythology. This massive sculpture at Suvarnabhumi Airport vividly portrays the mythological tale where gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) churn the ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality. Vishnu, the preserver god, is depicted at the center with his turtle avatar, Kurma, supporting Mount Mandara, the churning rod, while Vasuki, the king of serpents, acts as the churning rope. The devas and asuras pull Vasuki from either end, symbolizing the eternal struggle and cooperation between good and evil.

The Humanization of Deities

What is striking about this sculpture is the physical appearance of the devas and asuras. Unlike the Aryan depiction of gods with tall statures, broad chests, prominent noses, and large eyes, the figures in this sculpture resemble the local Thai populace. They have shorter heights, flatter noses, and smaller eyes. This regional adaptation of deities suggests that the divine forms are molded by the people who worship them, reflecting their own physical characteristics and cultural identity.

This observation aligns with the hypothesis that gods are creations of human imagination, tailored to fit the image and attributes familiar to their creators. In Thailand, the influence of Indian myths is apparent, yet the gods have been visually and culturally adapted to resonate with the Thai people.

Cultural Amalgamation in Mythology

The sculpture also highlights the amalgamation of Indo-Chinese mythology. Vasuki, the serpent king, is depicted more like a dragon, a common figure in Chinese mythology. This fusion of mythological elements underscores the adaptability and evolution of religious narratives as they traverse different cultures and geographies. It illustrates how human imagination reshapes and reinterprets divine stories to align with local beliefs and aesthetics.

The Power of Imagination

The Samudra Manthan sculpture serves as a testament to the power of human imagination in creating and perpetuating the concept of gods. It suggests that the divine forms are not fixed but are continually reshaped by cultural influences and human creativity. The gods' physical attributes and the mythological narratives are adapted to reflect the societies that venerate them, emphasizing the idea that divinity is a reflection of human values, aspirations, and identities.

Conclusion

The visit to Suranaree Technology University and the observation of the Samudra Manthan sculpture at Suvarnabhumi International Airport provide compelling evidence that gods are creations of human imagination. The physical resemblance of the deities to the local populace and the cultural fusion in the depiction of mythological tales support the notion that divinity is a construct shaped by human perception. This perspective invites us to reconsider the origins of our religious beliefs and the role of imagination in crafting the divine.

In essence, while humans may not be created in the image of God, it is evident that gods are indeed crafted from the imagination of humans, reflecting the diverse and evolving nature of human culture and thought. 

Acknowledgement: This article was edited with the assistance of ChatGPT 4.0.