Sacred Rocks and Buddhist Caves in Thailand by Munier, Christophe - 1998

Bangkok: White Lotus Press, 1998. Paperback. As New/no dj. 1.25. This is the first comprehensive study in English of a fascinating but little-known aspect of Thai Buddhism and culture. Rocks and caves are major places of pilgrimage in Thailand and this book places these natural holy sites in their historical, cultural and religious context. Rocks are sacred because of their shapes or the Buddhas carved on them. Animist activities involving rocks started in prehistoric times and continue to this day. The earliest rocks integrated into a religious context belong to the beginning of the Dvaravati period (6th-8th centuries) that saw the birth and spread of Theravada Buddhism in what is present day Thailand. Caves have also been used as ritual places since prehistoric times and were inhabited by hermits and Buddhist monks during the Dvaravati, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok periods. They are adorned with mural paintings, stucco reliefs and statues. The book is lavishly illustrated with 300 plates, maps, and plans and provides practical information on how to reach these rocks and caves.