Thai Temple Art and Architecture

Photos by Abe V Rotor

Restored ancient temples showcase a rich history and culture of
the land of the free - Thailand, now a major tourists' destination.

Showing respect before entering the Viharn, the most sacred

part of the temple where the Buddha is adored and venerated.

Icons of Buddha depict different periods and regions
of Buddhism, as well as the nature of petitions of worshipers.

Ancient temples such as this, dot the whole region of the so-called Golden
Triangle where Buddhism is the dominant religion for centuries.

Chedi or stupa is in the form of a bell-shaped tower. It contains a relic chamber.
At the background are modified Prang, Thai version of Khmer temple towers.

A typical Wat Thai (loosely translated as monastery or temple) has an enclosing wall that divides it from the secular world. A Thai temple, with few exceptions, consists of two parts: The Phuttha-wat and the Sangha-wat.

The architecture of a Wat has seen many changes in Thailand in the course of history. Although there are many differences in lay-out and style, they all adhere to the same principals.

The Phutthawat

The Phutthawat is the area which is dedicated to Buddha. It generally contains several buildings:

• Chedi - also known as a stupa is mostly seen in the form of a bell-shaped tower, often accessible and covered with gold leaf, containing a relic chamber.

• Prang - the Thai version of Kmer temple towers, mostly seen in temples from the Sukhothai and the Ayutthaya period.

• Ubosoth or Bot – the Ordination Hall and most sacred area of a Wat. Eight Sema stones (Bai Sema) mark the consecrated area.

• Viharn in Thai temples this designates a shrine hall that contains the principal Buddha images; it is the assembly hall where monks and believers congregate.

• Hor Trai - the Temple Library or Scriptures Depository houses the sacred Tipitaka scriptures. Sometimes they are built in the form of a Mondop, a cubical-shaped building where the pyramidal roof is carried by columns.

• Sala - an open pavilion providing shade and a place to rest.

• Sala Kan Prian - a large, open hall where lay people can hear sermons or receive religious education. It literally means "Hall, in which monks study for their Prian exam" and is used for saying afternoon prayers.

• Hor Rakang - the bell tower is used for waking the monks and to announce the morning and evening ceremonies.

• Phra Rabieng - a peristyle is sometimes built around the sacred inner area as a cloister.

• Additional buildings can also be found inside the Phuttawat area, depending on local needs, such as a crematorium or a school.

The Sanghawat

These temples are distinctly Thai in art and design,
in spite of strong influence within the region.

The Sanghawat contains the living quarters of the monks. It also lies within the wall surrounding the whole temple compound. The sanghawat area can have the following buildings:

• Kuti - originally a small structure, built on stilts, designed to house a monk. Modern kutis take on the shape of an apartment building with small rooms for the monks.

• The sanghawat can also contain the 'Hor Rakang' (bell tower) and even the 'Sala Kan Prian' (sermon hall).

• It houses most of the functional buildings such as a kitchen building where food can be prepared by lay people, and sanitary buildings.

Influence of Hindu is shown in this icon

Influence of Indian religion.

Chinese influence is evident in this icon
guarding a Thai temple.

Popular Temple Icons

During the 10th century, Thai Theravada Buddhism and Hindu cultures merged, and Hindu elements were introduced into Thai iconography. Popular figures include the four-armed figure of Vishnu; the garuda Vishnus; the garuda (half man, half bird); the eight-armed Shiva; elephant-headed Ganesh; the nanañga which appears as a snake, dragon or cobra; and the ghost-banishing giant Yaksa.

This giant icon stands tall beside a Thai temple

References: Wikipedia, Thailand Tourism brochures.