THAI BUDDHISM & TEMPLES

The Chedi is also commonly called a Stupa. This sacred Buddhist monument is built to enshrine holy relics, memorial ashes, or objects of deep religious importance. Found within temple grounds across Thailand, the Chedi is one of the most recognizable features of Thai religious architecture. Many are covered in gold, white plaster, colorful tiles, or intricate decorative patterns which gives them a striking appearance.

Chedis come in many forms, from bell-shaped designs influenced by Sri Lankan Buddhism to slender, towering structures unique to Thai style. They are often surrounded by courtyards, Buddha images, incense burners, and places for prayer, making them important centers of devotion within a Wat. Visitors and worshippers may walk slowly and respectfully in a clockwise direction as an act of merit and reverence. Press the palms of each hand together in the Thai "Wai" style to the height of your face as an act of merit and reverence.

This decorative ornament is found on the end of a Wat roof and symbolises the mythical creature Garuda.

The Chofa is most commonly seen on the gable peaks of Buddhist buildings such as Ubosots and Viharns. It is often shaped in a long, curved form that resembles the head of the Garuda. The chofa is usually finished with gold paint and decorative glass.

It is often associated with sacred symbolism and is thought to represent heavenly beings or mythological forms linked to Buddhist and Hindu influence in Thai culture.

The Hor Rakang is a bell tower within the grounds of a Buddhist temple for calling the monks and novices to perform morning and evening ceremonies.

These structures can range from simple wooden towers to beautifully decorated buildings with carved details, tiled roofs, and traditional Thai architectural features.

You will see the Hor Rakang standing alongside other important buildings such as the Ubosot, Viharn, and Chedi.

The ringing of the bell is often associated with mindfulness, reflection, and its elevated design helps the sound of the bell carry across the temple grounds.

A Kuti is a small traditional wooden stilted dwelling to house a senior monk. Usually simple and modest in design, the Kuti reflects the Buddhist ideal of living with few possessions and without luxury. Each Kuti would stand in a more private and peaceful corner of the temple complex. This gives the monk a place for rest, study, and meditation. While some modern temples have more permanent concrete buildings, the purpose of the Kuti remains the same.

Most often there are also large shared quarters for the other monks and novices of the temple who are not provided individual dwellings.

The Naga is a serpent creature in Buddhist and Hindu mythology. They are most often found adorning the stairway entry to a temple. A typical naga would have a a multi-headed crest, scales, long curving bodies, and decorative details painted in bright green, gold and red. They are designed to appear fierce and act as protectors of the Buddha and the temple.

In Thailand, the Naga imagery also reflects older regional beliefs connected to water, fertility, and the natural world.

A Prang is built in the form of a spire. In Thailand the Prang originates from old Khmer architecture. Commonly found in the ancient city of Ayutthaya but the most famous Prang in Thailand is Wat Arun which is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok. The photo here shows a Prang from Ayutthaya.

Commonly called a Bot or Ubosot. This is the hall where monks in Thailand get ordained and is also their main prayer room. Looking much like a Viharn but disquinguishable by the placement of Sema stones at the four corners of the building and the center of each wall of the building. A total of eight stones on the outside. A Ubosot may not be open to the public.

Also spelt as Wiharn. The Viharn is more open to everyday religious activity by both monks and laypeople. It is where the local lay Buddhists gather together to pray, chant, and listen to teachings of the Buddha by the monks at particular times. The Viharn also serves as both a spiritual and communal space, where visitors and locals come to make offerings, light incense, and pay their respects to the Buddha.

A temple complex can have several Viharn. It is usually one of the main buildings in a Wat grounds and will house a large Buddha and smaller Buddha images inside.

Inside, the atmosphere is calm, reverent and often with rows of columns, polished floors, and murals showing scenes from the life of the Buddha.

One very important thing to remember if you visit is when you are sitting or kneeling, to never point your feet towards the Buddha image as this is very dis-respectful. Removal of shoes before entering the temple is also expected.

The Wat is the Thai name given to an entire temple complex in Thailand that serves as the spiritual heart of communities. The common types of buildings in a temple complex would be the Viharn, Phra Ubosot, Chedi, bell tower, Prang, monk residences, Ho Trai and Sala. Some temple complexes in rural areas may also have a regular school that teaches common educational subjects.

Thai people visit their local Wat regularly to make food offerings to the monks and seek blessings.

Monks living in the temple provide spiritual guidance, chanting and ceremonies, and preserve Buddhist teachings.

A Yak is a giant mythological guardian figure found inside some temple grounds. They can also be called a Yaksa. These fierce looking creatures in elaborate armor are the guardians of the gates. Yak figures are not to be confused with evil, they symbolize guardianship and are the protectors that stand watch over sacred places, helping guard the temple from harmful forces.