Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Another classic component of temple archi-
tecture is the presence of one or more
chedi
(stupas), a solid mountain-shaped monument
that pays tribute to the enduring stability of
Buddhism.
Chedi
come in myriad styles, from
simple inverted bowl-shaped designs impor-
ted from Sri Lanka to the more elaborate oc-
tagonal shapes found in northern Thailand.
Many are believed to contain relics (often
pieces of bone) belonging to the historical
Buddha. Some
chedi
also house the ashes of
important kings and royalty. In northern and
northeastern Thailand such stupas are
known as
tâht.
A variation of the stupa inher-
ited from the Angkor kingdom is the corn-
cob-shaped
prang,
a feature in the ancient
Thai temples of Sukhothai and Ayuthaya.
Dotting the grounds of most temples are
smaller, squarish
chedi
that contain the
ashes of deceased worshippers.
Other structures typically found in temple compounds include one or more
săh·lah
(often spelt 'sala'; open-sided shelters) that are used for community meet-
ings and
dhamma
(Buddhist philosophy) lectures; a number of
gù·đì
(monastic
quarters); a
hŏr đrai
(Tripitaka library), where Buddhist scriptures are stored; plus
various ancillary buildings, such as schools and clinics.
Old-Fashioned Thai
Houses
1 JIM THOMPSON HOUSE,
BANGKOK (
CLICK HERE
)
2 BAAN SAO NAK, LAMPANG (
Temple Symbols
The architectural symbolism of Thai temples relies heavily on Hindu-Buddhist icono-
graphy.
Naga,
the mythical serpent that guarded Buddha during meditation, appears on hand-
rails at temple entrances. A silhouette of the birdlike
chôr fáh
adorns the tip of the roof.
Three-tiered roofs represent the triple gems of Buddhism: the Buddha, the
dhamma
and
the
sangha
(the Buddhist community).
