A quick introduction to Thai temples

architecture and vocabulary

UBOSOT OR BOT
the ordination hall and most sacred
area of a wat. Eight Sema stones
(Bai Sema, mark the consecrated
area.
HO TRAI
the temple library or scriptures
depository houses the sacred
scriptures. Sometimes they are
built in the form of a mondop
MONDOP
A mondop is a specific
square or cruciform based
building or shrine, some-
times with a spired roof
within a Thai Buddhist
temple or temple complex.
It is a ceremonial structural
form that can be applied to
several different kinds of
buildings. It can house
relics, sacred scriptures or
act as a shrine.

WIHAM A CHEDI
in Thai temples this designates a
shrine hall that contains the prin- alternative term for a Budd-
cipal Buddha images. It is the hist stupa, mainly used in
assembly hall where monks and Thailand.
laypeople congregate.

HO RAKHANG
A bell tower used for waking the
monks and to announce the
morning and evening ceremo-
nies.
PRANG
the Thai version of Khmer
temple towers, mostly seen in
temples from the Sukhothai
and the Ayutthaya period.

SALA KAN PARIAN

SALA
also known as a sala Thai, is an
open pavilion, used as a meeting
place and to protect people from
sun and rain. A sala located in a
temple is called a salawat.
a large, open hall where laity can
hear sermons or receive religious
education. It literally means "hall,
in which monks study for their
Parian exam" and is used for
saying afternoon prayers.

PHRA RABIANG
a peristyle is sometimes built
around the sacred inner area as a
cloister.

CHIANG MAI TEMPLES

CHIANG MAI TEMPLES
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