Question

What is the opinion in Theravadin Buddhism about music and art? Can art and music help to lessen suffering?

Answer

Art can be quite inspiring; you see a lot of art in Thai Wats. A Buddha statue is a work of art. Many beautiful paintings adorn the walls of many Wats. These art works can be a way to inspire confidence in others by illustrating a story. So it really depends on the intention behind the art form. Are we trying to tell a story, are we trying to teach anything from our art? Whether it can help to lessen suffering or not, depends on what we are trying to convey. Because many things in themselves are neither beneficial nor unbeneficial, so it depends on their content and the message they are trying to convey. Is the message beneficial or not?

For example, the chanting is very musical, it's very pleasant to the ears, and it can be inspiring confidence in people, especially if they know what the chanting means. So sounds in themselves do not necessarily increase suffering. Some songs may have a message; others just tend to increase the power of ignorance in people. And a lot of music increases the tendency to dwell or get lost in the past, igniting a lot of emotional states which could increases suffering. So it really depends on the art form, the intention behind it and what it is conveying.

Our apologies if there are any errors in the above text. If anything seems to be wrong or confusing in any way, please feel free to contact the teachers for further clarification.