THAI TEMPLES
The "WIHARN" is a public place for all. The "BOT" is reserved for monks religious rites. Normally, the "BOT" is smaller than the "WIHARN". In big royal temples, several "WIHARN" buildings can be found. In many smaller temples, there is no "WIHARN" and only a "BOT".
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The eight boundary stones
("SIMA" - สีมา)
around the "BOT"
indicate that the building has been consecrated and
can be used for monks religious rites.
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| Bot |
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Any Buddhist religious ceremonies cannot happen in a "BOT" until it has not been consecrated. This ceremony is called "FANG LUUK NIMIT" (ฝังลูกนิมิต).
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The building called "BOT" is usually the finest building in
a Thai Buddhist monastery.
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| Bot |
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Thai "BOT" are often surrounded by a wall. During the day time doors are opened. But in the evening when rites are finished, "BOT" doors are closed. Buddha statues are often made of gold. Some non Buddhist people don't hesitate to steal them. During day time doors might be closed in remote temples. Then if visitors ask the authorization to the abbot, a monk opens the "BOT" doors.
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The inside walls of "BOT" are often covered with beautiful
Buddhist paintings. They often represent Lord Buddha's previous lifes
("JAKATA" - ชาดก).
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| Bot |
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Often little walls that surround the "BOT" contain small niches. Those niches contain the ashes of the deceased persons. On the external side a plaque indicates the name.
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Both the "BOT" and the "WIHARN" contain a presiding Buddha
image and usually several smaller attendant statues. Some statues are so
well known that Thai people come from far
away in order to worship them. In Thailand, there are more Buddha statues
than inhabitants (60 Millions). Buddha statues follow a precise set of
positions. These positions have not changed since centuries.
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| Bot |
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The highest worshipped Buddha in Thailand is the Emerald Buddha in the Royal temple "WAT PHRA KAEW" (วัดพระแก้ว) in Bangkok. The largest one can be foun in "WAT PO" (วัดโพธิ์) in Bangkok. Some statues are supposed to answer to wishes and possess exceptional spiritual powers.
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The "BOT" may contain the most sacred Buddha sculpture. It is often closed
when not in use. The building may be quite small and tucked away in a corner.
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| Bot |
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Roof of "BOT" is often made of red tiles. The number of
stack of roofs are always odd ( 3, 5, 7, 9 ). Odd number are supposed
to be lucky. "CHO FA" (ช่อฟ้า) are
elongated and elaborately carved apex of the gable of a Buddhist temple. It is
believed to represent the mythical Garuda.
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| Roof |
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To ward off bad spirits, there are monster figures guarding doorways. Those figures can be Nagas, Singhas, Kinnari, Hongse.
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The Hongse is a mythical swan-like creature, the mount of the god Brahma.
It is often seen as a decoration for ornamental gates or standing on a tall pole
in front of the "WIHARN".
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| Hongse |
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In front of the "BOT" entrance there are often "Naga"
(นาค). Naga was the
serpent who did protect the Lord Buddha when he was meditating. Sometimes Buddhist
deities or lotus are built instead of "NAGA".
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| Naga |
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In front of the "BOT" entrance there are often "Singhas"
(สิงห์). They represent strength and power. They are usually
depicted with mouth half open.
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| Singhas |
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In the temple
"WAT PHO" (วัดโพธิ์) located in
Bangkok, the guardians of the temple are stone
statues coming from China and representing Chinese characters or
animals. The statues arrive to Bangkok a century ago in boats. They
were used to fill empty Thai boats coming back from China after having
deliver rice.
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| Chinese guard |
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Sometimes in front the "BOT" entrance
there is a couple of "YAK"
(ยักข์),
which are huge statues representing giants with
big teeth. Those "YAK" are supposed to afraid
the spirits or demons who would like to enter the "BOT".
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| Yak |
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Huge statues of giants called "YAK" (ยักษ์) stand in front of temples. They intend to frighten the spirits and protect the Buddha statues from the spirits.
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The most famous "YAK" in Thailand are located in
the Royal temple "WAT PHRA KAEW" (วัดพระแก้ว)
in Bangkok. This temple contains
the famous Emerald Buddha statue made of jade.
It is said that the jade is coming from a mountain where
"YAK" are supposed to have been living long
ago. It is a rare case where the "YAK" are facing the temple inner.
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| Yak at WAT PHRA KAEW |
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This "YAK" statue is very small and he is sleeping also!
Hopefully he can still frighten the spirits!
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| Yak |
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Click to see more pictures |
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