Three Thrones

Another artistic interpretation to work through, from the hand of the Burmese artist JMP. This particular drawing is incredibly complex, and takes much time to understand all the elements involved.

Let's go to the translation first, which is fairly simple. The title of the piece is, "Many kinds of thrones, what the venerable hide." Then, the monk on the left is saying, "Donations will send you to Nibbana." The general adds, "If there is no military, what do you think will happen?"

Examining the piece more closely, one sees that there are three chairs towering over the people. Three is not only a special number found across various cultures, but has particular meaning in Buddhism (Triple Gem, Three Characteristics, etc.) and in Burma (the past kings of Bayinnaung, Anawrahta, and Alaungpaya.) If the artist is also keen on pop culture, one wonders if he is referencing the power position of "Game of Thrones" as well with an image like this. The people, for their part, appear small and powerless as a these two great rulers speak, one who is spiritual/religious and the other is worldly, yet both with malevolent expressions.

The monk's actual speech is not so much a commentary as a typical example of monastic discourses, advising lay supporters that generosity is a core Buddhist value they need to develop. In this example, however, the guidance towards such generosity appears to come across as appropriation or exortion, or even some form of spiritual bribery.

Careful observers may notice that the general is sitting ever so slightly higher than the monk, an important distinction in Burmese Buddhist culture, where monastics are always given preferential seating, and should always be higher than lays of any rank. Holding a torch in one hand a gun in the other, he sits over a mass of stolen loot and skulls. His statement strikes me as quite ironic, repeating the standard Tatmadaw line that they are "protecting Buddhism," which in this case can be seen as protecting the religious extoration of the monk.

The third chair, with three steps leading towards it, is empty. I cannot think to explain the meaning of this emptiness... perhaps some readers may offer a suggestion?