Increase or decrease font size for easier reading :
A+A-
In a Thai Buddhist monastery, there is always a
banian tree ("BO" - ต้นไทร).
Banian tree
Buddha reached the enlightenment under a banian tree ("BO").
This tree is often enveloped with a cloth tinted with the
orange Buddhist colour.
The "KUTI" (กุฎิ) are the
huts for monks in Thai Buddhist temples.
Monk hut
It can be a small room for one or several persons. These huts are quite small and
empty because monks are not supposed to do anything in their hut
except meditating and sleeping. Often monks have their own hut and
novices share a hut.
In a Thai monastery
there is an abbot ("CHAO AWAT" - เจ้าอาวาส),
who is responsible of the well-being of the community. The laymen in troubles
come to the Budhhist temple in order to ask for the abbot's advice. The abbot is
often a quite old man with a wisdom reputation. Such monks are called "LUANG PU"
(หลวงปู่).
Monk robes
Each monk has only a limited number of robes. So near monks' room, it is
very common to see cleaned robes hung out in the sun.
In year 2008, a Thai fabric designer
has disclosed a new line of saffron-coloured robes infused with bug repellent to keep mosquitoes
from biting Buddhist monks.
Monk house
Abbots of famous Buddhist temples can have big house with cars
and all modern facilities as many laymen make money donations.
There is also a responsible for Buddhist temples
in each district ("CHAO ATHIKAN" - เจ้าอธิการ).
Monks are eager to speak with foreigners. Monks are often people with the greatest knowledge
in villages. Some are able to speak English.
Monk house
There are no private bathroom or toilets in monk houses. Inside the temple, there are public toilets
and bathrooms for men and women.
In a Thai Buddhist monastery there is often a crematorium to burn corpse
of dead people.
Crematorium
The crematorium building is easily recognisable because it has a tall chimney.
Crematorium
The crematorium building is easily recognisable because it has a tall chimney.
In a Thai Buddhist monastery there is often a library
("HO TRAI" - หอไตร)
where books about Buddha teachings are kept.
Buddhist library
The library is often built on piles in a pond to prevent bugs to destroy the sacred texts.
Buddhist library
Most Buddhist temples also contain a library, usually a decorated wooden
building raised on a podium.
Buddhist library
This is a library building ("HO TRAI" - หอไตร)
where books about Buddha teachings are kept.
In a Thai Buddhist monastery there is sometimes a kitchen and refectory
in case of many monks.
Kitchen
In very big temples, food is cooked in the temple by monks and laymen. Food can be
obtained during the alms round ceremony ( "TAKBAT" - ตักบาตร).
People also bring food offerings in the morning at the temple while the monks are praying.
In rural places, the school was often in
the monastery. Before the creation of public schools in the 19th century by King Rama V,
the only schools were in temples. Up-country Buddhist temples are still the centre of the village.
Kitchen
In this Buddhist temple, monk's alms bowls are kept outside.
