TEMPLES

ACCOMMODATION

TEMPLES

A Wat or Temple, is place of worship where Theravada Buddhist monks and nuns practice the Buddha's teaching and also transmit the teachings to lay-people. Many people naturally congregate for the Buddhist day ceremonies to pay respects to  Buddha images there and listen to  Dhamma Talks.

Why should one pay respect to the image of the Buddha ?  In paying respects to the image of the Buddha we recollect the virtues of the Buddha.  "He, the Blessed One, is indeed the Pure One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.  He is impeccable in conduct and understanding, the Accomplished One, the Knower of the Worlds.   He trains perfectly those who wish to be trained; he is Teacher of gods and humans; he is Awake and Holy."

From the time of the historical Buddha, temples were built for Buddhist monk practitioners to reside in.  The Buddhist monks used them as residence during the 3 months of the rainy season ("Phansaa"). This is a characteristic feature of their practicing style which has continued to the present day here at Wat Thaton.

LEVEL 1 STUPA

Main Stupa - A domed memorial building with a solid core and that enshrines relics of the Buddha or other important persons. The relics are buried inside the solid interior. Actual relics might include ashes, hairs, bone fragments, or other cremated remains. Symbolic relics might include jewels, statues, or texts. This Stupa is one of the oldest structures at Wat Thaton as are some of the sculptures seen here inside the Vihara (Grand Meeting Hall).

The CHEDI KAEW PAGODA , under construction now will be a unique structure with many symbolic and functional features . We will continue to give details and update the construction progress on the CHEDI KAEW PAGODA page.

Click here to go the Hoah Prachum page that is not a temple by strict definition but many sacred services as well as community functions take place.

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LAST MODIFIED ON: 12 SEPTEMBER 2006