WAT

''This article is about the Southeast Asian temple; for the Ethiopian dish, see Wat (food); for the Japanese pop duo, see WaT''

Contents

Definition

Structure

Examples

Definition

A 'wat' (derived from the Pali word ''avasa'' as well as from the Sanskrit word ''avasatha'') is a monastery temple in Cambodia, Laos or Thailand. The word "wat" (Thai วัด) (sometimes rendered "vat" when referring to Laos) means "school." Strictly speaking a wat is a Buddhist temple and school with resident monks. A Buddhist site without resident monks cannot correctly be described as a wat, although the term is frequently used more loosely, even for ruins of ancient temples.
In everyday language in Thailand a wat is any place of worship except a mosque. Thus ''wat cheen'' is a Chinese temple (either Buddhist or Taoist), ''wat khaek'' is a Hindu temple, and ''wat kris'' or ''wat krit'' or ''wat fa-hrang'' is a Christian church.

Structure

A typical Buddhist wat consists of the following buildings:

★ 'chedi' - (from Sanskrit: ''Chaitya'' - Temple) usually conical or bell-shaped buildings, often containing relics of Buddha;

★ 'viharn' or 'wihaan' (from Sanskrit: ''vihara'' and Pali ''vihaan'' ) - a meeting and prayer room;

★ 'mondop' (from Sanskrit: ''Mandapa'') - a usually open, square building with four arches and a pyramidal roof, used to worship religious texts or objects.

★ 'sala' (from Portuguese for "hall") - a pavilion for relaxation or miscellaneous activities; Could also be from Sanskrit: ''Shala'' - School)

★ 'bot' or 'ubosoth' - the most holy prayer room, also called the "ordination hall" as it is where new monks take their vows. Architecturally it is similar to the vihara; the main differences are the eight cornerstones placed around the bot to ward off evil. The bot is usually more decorated than the viharn. (from Pali: Uposatha)

★ 'haw trai' - Tripitaka library where Buddhist scriptures are kept ;

★ 'haw klawng' - drum tower ;

★ 'haw rakhang' - bell tower.
The living quarters of the monks, including the ''kutis'' (monk cells) are separated from the sacred buildings.

Examples

Some well-known 'wats' include:

★ Angkor Wat, near Siem Reap, Cambodia

★ Pha That Luang, Vientiane Laos

★ Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang

★ Wat Suthat, Bangkok Thailand

★ Wat Benchamabophit, Bangkok

★ Wat Ratchanadda, Bangkok

★ Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

★ Wat Arun, Bangkok

★ Wat Bowonniwet, Bangkok

★ Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

★ Phra Pathom Chedi, Nakhon Pathom

★ Wat Phumin, Nan