Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
What's a Wát?
Bangkok is home to hundreds of wáts, temple compounds that have traditionally been at the centre of community
life.
Buildings & Structures
Even the smallest wát will usually have a
bòht, wí·hăhn
and monks' living quarters.
›
Bòht
The most sacred prayer room at a wát, often similar in size and shape to the
wí·hăhn.
Aside from the fact it does not house the main Buddha image, you'll know
the
bòht
because it is usually more ornately decorated and has eight cornerstones to
ward off evil.
›
Chedi (stupa)
A large bell-shaped tower usually containing five structural elements
symbolising (from bottom to top) earth, water, fire, wind and void; depending on the
wát, relics of the Buddha, a Thai king or some other notable are housed inside.
›
Drum Tower
Elevates the ceremonial drum beaten by novices.
›
Mon·dòp
An open-sided, square building with four arches and a pyramidal roof;
used to worship religious objects or texts.
›
Ho
̆
r đrai
The manuscript library: a structure for holding Buddhist scriptures. As
these texts were previously made from palm leaves,
hŏ r đrai
were typically elevated
or built over water to protect texts from flooding and/or termites.
›
Prang
A towering phallic spire of Khmer origin serving the same religious purpose
as a
chedi.
›
Săh·lah (sala)
A pavilion, often open-sided, for relaxation or lessons.
›
Wí·hăhn (vihara)
The sanctuary for the temple's main Buddha image and where
laypeople come to make their offerings. Classic architecture typically has a three-
tiered roof representing the triple gems: the Buddha (the teacher), Dharma (the teach-
ing) and Brotherhood (the followers).
