A wat (, ; , ; , ; ; , ) is a type of

Buddhist Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...

and

Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...

temple in

Cambodia Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...

Laos Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and ...

, East Shan State (Myanmar),

Yunnan Yunnan; is an inland Provinces of China, province in Southwestern China. The province spans approximately and has a population of 47.2 million (as of 2020). The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders the Chinese provinces ...

(China), the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, and

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

Etymology

The word ''wat'' is borrowed from the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

''vāṭa'' (

Devanāgarī Devanagari ( ; in script: , , ) is an Indic script used in the Indian subcontinent. It is a left-to-right abugida (a type of segmental Writing systems#Segmental systems: alphabets, writing system), based on the ancient ''Brāhmī script, Brā ...

: वाट), meaning "enclosure". The term has varying meanings in each region, sometimes referring to a specific type of government-recognised or large temple, other times referring to any Buddhist or Hindu temple.

Overview

Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...

, a ''wat'' is a Buddhist sacred precinct with vihara, a temple, an edifice housing a large image of Buddha and a facility for lessons. A site without a minimum of three resident ''bhikkhu''s cannot correctly be described as a wat although the term is frequently used more loosely, even for ruins of ancient temples. As a transitive or intransitive verb, ''

wat A wat (, ; , ; , ; ; , ) is a type of Buddhist and Hindu temple in Cambodia, Laos, East Shan State (Myanmar), Yunnan (China), the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Etymology The word ''wat'' is borrowed from the Sanskrit ''v ...

'' means to measure, to take measurements; compare ''

templum The vocabulary of ancient Roman religion was highly specialized. Its study affords important information about the religion, traditions and beliefs of the ancient Romans. This legacy is conspicuous in European cultural history in its influence on ...

'', from which ''

temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a place of worship, a building used for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. By convention, the specially built places of worship of some religions are commonly called "temples" in Engli ...

'' derives, having the same root as ''

template Template may refer to: Tools * Die (manufacturing), used to cut or shape material * Mold, in a molding process * Stencil, a pattern or overlay used in graphic arts (drawing, painting, etc.) and sewing to replicate letters, shapes or designs C ...

''. In

, a ''wat'' is any place of worship. "''Wat''" generally refers to a Buddhist place of worship, but the precise term is ''vôtt pŭtthsasnéa'' () meaning "Buddhist pagoda". "

Angkor Wat Angkor Wat (; , "City/Capital of Wat, Temples") is a Buddhism and Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. Located on a site measuring within the ancient Khmer Empire, Khmer capital city of Angkor, it was originally constructed ...

" ( ) means 'city of temples'. In everyday language in Thailand, a "wat" is any place of worship except a

mosque A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard. Originally, mosques were si ...

(; ; or ; ) or a

synagogue A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...

(; ). Thus, a ''wat chin'' (; ) or ''san chao'' (; ) is a Chinese temple (either

Taoist Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ...

), ''wat khaek'' (; ) or ''thewasathan'' (; from ) is a

Hindu temple A Hindu temple, also known as Mandir, Devasthanam, Pura, or Kovil, is a sacred place where Hindus worship and show their devotion to Hindu deities, deities through worship, sacrifice, and prayers. It is considered the house of the god to who ...

, ''wat sik'' (; is a

Gurdwara A gurdwara or gurudwara () is a place of assembly and place of worship, worship in Sikhism, but its normal meaning is "place of guru" or "home of guru". Sikhism, Sikhs also refer to gurdwaras as ''Gurdwara Sahib''. People from all faiths and rel ...

, and ''bot khrit'' () or ''wat farang'' (; ) is a

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

church, though Thai () may be used descriptively as with mosques.

Types

According to Thai law, there are two types of Thai Buddhist temples: * Wats (วัด; ''wat'') are temples which have been endorsed by the state and have been granted '' wisungkhammasima'' (วิสุงคามสีมา), or the land for establishing central hall, by the king. These temples are divided into:ราชกิจจานุเบกษ�
ประกาศกระทรวงธรรมการ แผนกกรมสังฆการี เรื่อง จัดระเบียบพระอารามหลวง
เล่ม ๓๒, ตอน ๐ ก, ๓ ตุลาคม พ.ศ.๒๔๕๘, หน้า ๒๘๔ ** Royal temples (; ): established or patronised by the king or his family members. ** Public temples (; ): established by private citizens. Despite the term "private", private temples are open to the public and are sites of public religious activities. * ''Samnak song'' (): are temples or monasteries without state endorsement and ''wisungkhamasima''. For example, Wat Tham Krabok in Phra Phutthabat was established as a ''samnak song'' in 1975 and was granted a ''wat'' status in 2012.

Structure

20171118 Pha That Luang in Vientiane 3176 DxO

Penang Malaysia Wat-Chaiya-Mangkalaram-Temple-01

A typical Buddhist wat consists of the following buildings: *

Bell tower A bell tower is a tower that contains one or more bells, or that is designed to hold bells even if it has none. Such a tower commonly serves as part of a Christian church, and will contain church bells, but there are also many secular bell to ...

(, ; ; ) * Bot () or

ubosot The ordination hall (Pali: ''sīmā'') is a Buddhist building specifically consecrated and designated for the performance of the Buddhist ordination ritual (''upasampadā'') and other ritual ceremonies, such as the recitation of the Pāṭimokkha. ...

(; ; from

Pali Pāli (, IAST: pāl̤i) is a Classical languages of India, classical Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Middle Indo-Aryan language of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pali Canon, Pāli Can ...

uposatha An Uposatha () day is a Buddhism, Buddhist day of observance, in existence since the Buddha's time (600 BCE), and still being kept today by Buddhist practitioners. The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for "the cleansing of the defiled mind, ...

'') or ''sim'' (): the holiest 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 difference is the eight cornerstones placed around the bot to ward off evil. The bot is usually more decorated than the wihan. In Cambodia nowadays, this type of building is considered to be

Vihear A wat (, ; , ; , ; ; , ) is a type of Buddhist and Hindu temple in Cambodia, Laos, East Shan State (Myanmar), Yunnan (China), the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Etymology The word ''wat'' is borrowed from the Sanskrit ''v ...

. It was previously called ''Ubaosathakea'' or ''Rorng Ubaosoth'' (). * Chedei () or Chedi (; ) from

: ''chaitya'', temple or ''that'' (): It is also known as a ''

Stupa In Buddhism, a stupa (, ) is a domed hemispherical structure containing several types of sacred relics, including images, statues, metals, and '' śarīra''—the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns. It is used as a place of pilgrimage and m ...

'' (). Usually conical or bell-shaped buildings, but many Cambodian stupas are constructed in the style of temple shrine. They often contain relics of Buddha. The urns containing the ashes of the cremated dead are kept here and serve as memorials for those ancestors. * Chantakhara (): a room in which fire and water are kept. * Drum tower (; ; ) * Hong Song Nam (): toilet. * Ho trai (; ; ): library where

Buddhist texts Buddhist texts are religious texts that belong to, or are associated with, Buddhism and Schools of Buddhism, its traditions. There is no single textual collection for all of Buddhism. Instead, there are three main Buddhist Canons: the Pāli C ...

are kept. * Kappapiya Kudi () utility and storage room. * Kod (), Kut, Kutti, Kuti or Kati (; ): the living quarters of monks (

bhikkhu A ''bhikkhu'' (, ) is an ordained male in Buddhist monasticism. Male, and female monastics (''bhikkhunī''), are members of the Sangha (Buddhist community). The lives of all Buddhist monastics are governed by a set of rules called the pratimok� ...

s) separated from the sacred buildings. * Mondop (; ; from Sanskrit: ''

Mandapa A ''mandapa'' or ''mantapa'' () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture and Jain temple architecture. ''Mandapas'' are described as "open" or "closed" dependin ...

''): usually an open, square building with four arches and a pyramidal roof, used to worship religious texts or objects. * Pond ( - ''Srah''; ''Sa Nam''; ''Sa Nam''): is rectangular in shape and sometimes decorated with lotus flowers, the emblematic flower of Buddhism. In addition, some wats illustrate the figure of

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha (),* * * was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist legends, he was ...

being sheltered by a seven headed naga, named Mucalinda (), in the middle of the pond. The pond itself is called Mucalinda Pond. * Sala (; ; ; from the Sanskrit word (

IAST The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST) is a transliteration scheme that allows the lossless romanisation of Brahmic family, Indic scripts as employed by Sanskrit and related Indic languages. It is based on a scheme that ...

: śālā), cognate of

Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...

शाल, meaning hall, large room or shed. A pavilion for relaxation and miscellaneous activities. In Cambodia, the sala also serves as the Buddhist educational center in a wat, but not every wat has one. It can be found outside the wat proper. ** Oupadthan Sala or Sala Bonn () or Sala Wat (): a hall for people gathering together to make a donation or for ceremonies. ** Sala Baley or Sala Putthikakseksa (): literally means '

school' or 'Buddhist educational school', is the place to teach Buddhist

Dharma Dharma (; , ) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term ''dharma'' does not have a single, clear Untranslatability, translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit ''dhr-'', meaning ''to hold ...

and other subjects in both

and Khmer languages. Sala Baley is divided into three levels. They are: Buddhist elementary school ( ''Putthikakpathamaseksa''); Buddhist high school ( - ''Putthikakvityealay''); and Buddhist university ( ''Putthikaksakalvityealay''). Beside Buddhist Dharma, Buddhist university includes subjects such as philosophy, science, information technology,

, and other foreign languages. These schools may be constructed outside the wat and laypersons are also permitted to study there. ** Sala Chhann (), Sala Bat (), or Ho Chan (): cafeteria for monks. ** Sala Chhatean (), Sala Klang Yan () or Sala Rong Tham (; ): is usually smaller than other halls and can be built outside the wat, especially along the roads or even in the center of villages. It is used to celebrate Buddhist events as well as for dining and relaxation. **

Sala Kan Parian Sala kan parian () is the highest form of a Thai temple '' sala'' (pavilion). This pavilion is traditionally built as a hall in which clerics can instruct lay people in Buddhist doctrine, and is sometimes also used as a place for monks to chant a ...

() or Ho Chaek (; ): study hall, ** Sala Song (): the room where monks receive holy water blessings. ** Sala Thormmasaphear or Thormmasala (), Sala Fang Tham ():

assembly pavilion, however some assume this hall to be Sala Bonn. ** Sala Tha Nam (): pier pavilion. * Vihear () or wihan (; ) from Sanskrit: '' vihara'': a meeting and prayer room. * Wachak Kod () or Watcha Kudi () or ''than'' (; ): toilet. Almost all Buddhist temples in Cambodia were built in Khmer architectural style. Most temples were finely decorated with a spiked tower (bosbok) ()(some temples have three or five spiked towers; some have none) on the rooftop along with

pediment Pediments are a form of gable in classical architecture, usually of a triangular shape. Pediments are placed above the horizontal structure of the cornice (an elaborated lintel), or entablature if supported by columns.Summerson, 130 In an ...

s, naga heads, and chovear () (a decorative ridge-piece that is placed at each topmost edge of the roof, just above the tip of each pediment). Below the edge of the roof and at the top of external columns,

garuda Garuda (; ; Vedic Sanskrit: , ) is a Hindu deity who is primarily depicted as the mount (''vahana'') of the Hindu god Vishnu. This divine creature is mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths. Garuda is also the half-brother of the D ...

kinnari A kinnara (Sanskrit: Kiṃnara) is a creature from Hindu and Buddhist mythology. They are described as part human and part bird, and have a strong association with music and love. Believed to come from the Himalayas, they often watch over ...

figures are depicted supporting the roof. There are a pair of guardian lions and one head or several (three, five, seven, or nine). naga sculptures are beside each entrance of the temple. Inside the main temple ( vihara) and the multipurpose hall (lunch hall), mural paintings depict the life of

Gautama Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha (),* * * was a śramaṇa, wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist lege ...

and his previous life. The roofs of Thai temples are often adorned with

chofa Chofa (, ; lit. sky tassel) is a Laos, Lao and Culture of Thailand, Thai architectural decorative ornament that adorns the top at the end of wat and palace roofs in most Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. ...

Examples

Some well-known wats include:

Cambodia

At the end of 2017, there were 4,872 wats with 69,199 Buddhist monks supporting

Buddhism in Cambodia Buddhism in Cambodia or Khmer Buddhism (, UNGEGN: ) has existed since at least the 5th century. In its earliest form it was a type of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Today, the predominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism. It is enshr ...

. By 2019, it was illustrated that 97.1 percent of the Cambodian population was Buddhist, making Cambodia to be one of the most predominant Buddhist nations in the world. *

, Siem Reap * Wat Preah Keo, Phnom Penh * Wat Botum Vattey, Phnom Penh * Wat Moha Montrey, Phnom Penh * Wat Ounalaom, Phnom Penh *

Wat Phnom Wat Phnom (, Romanization of Khmer#UNGEGN, UNGEGN: , Romanization of Khmer#ALA-LC Romanization Tables, ALA-LC: ; "Mountain Pagoda") is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Doun Penh section, Doun Penh, Phnom Penh. The site features a pagoda, a stupa symbo ...

, Phnom Penh * Wat Bakan, Pursat

Laos

Wat Si Saket Wat Si Saket (, ) is a Buddhist wat in Vientiane, Laos. It is situated on Lan Xang Road, on the corner with Setthathirat Road, to the northwest of Haw Phra Kaew, which formerly held the Emerald Buddha. Overview Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 ...

, Vientiane * Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang * Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, Luang Prabang * Wat Manorom, Luang Prabang

Malaysia

* Wat Buppharam, Penang * Wat Chayamangkalaram, Penang * Wat Chetawan, Selangor * Wat Phothivihan, Kelantan Despite having only 3.8 percent Buddhists in Kelantan, the northern Malaysian state of

Kelantan Kelantan (; Kelantan-Pattani Malay, Kelantanese Malay: ''Klate''; ) is a state in Malaysia. The capital, Kota Bharu, includes the royal seat of Kubang Kerian. The honorific, honorific name of the state is ''Darul Naim'' ("The Blissful Abode"). ...

has numerous Thai wats.

Singapore

* Wat Ananda * Wat Palelai

Thailand

Thailand had 39,883 wats. Three hundred-ten were royal wats, the remainder were private (public). There were 298,580 Thai Buddhist monks, 264,442 of the Maha Nikaya order and 34,138 of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya order. There were 59,587 Buddhist novice monks. *

Wat Suthat Wat Suthat Thepwararam (, ) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a royal temple of the first grade, one of ten such temples in Bangkok (23 in Thailand). Construction was begun by King Rama I in 1807. In the beginning, it was initiall ...

, Bangkok *

Wat Benchamabophit Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram (; ) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in the Dusit District of Bangkok, Thailand. Also known as the Marble Temple, it is one of Bangkok's best-known temples and a major tourist attraction. It typifies Bangkok's ornate s ...

(The Marble Temple) * Wat Ratchanatdaram *

Wat Phra Kaew Wat Phra Kaew (, , ), commonly known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and officially as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most sacred Wat, Buddhist temple in Thailand. The complex consists of a number of buildings ...

Wat Arun Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan ( ) or Wat Arun (, "Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple ('' wat'') in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand. It is situated on Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple ...

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Wat Bowaniwet Wihan Ratchaworawihan (; , ) is a major Buddhist temple (''wat'') in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. Being the residence of Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana, the late Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, it is the final resting place of ...

Wat Pho Wat Pho (, ), also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhism, Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Grand Palace. Known also as the Temp ...

Wat Saket Wat Saket Ratchawora Mahawihan (), usually shortened to Wat Saket, is a Buddhist temple (''wat'') in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya kingdom, Ayutthaya era, when it was known as Wat Sak ...

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (, , ) is a Theravada Buddhist temple (wat) in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although this is actually the name of the mountain where it is located. It is a sacred site to ...

, Chiang Mai * Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai *

Wat Chedi Luang Wat Chedi Luang (, lit. ''temple of the big stupa'' or ''temple of the royal stupa'') is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luan ...

, Chiang Mai *

Wat Phra Singh Wat Phra Singh (full name: Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn; ; ; is a Buddhist temple (Thai language: Wat) in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), bestowed upon it the status of List of Buddhist temples in Thailand#R ...

, Chiang Mai * Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Lampang * Wat Phumin, Nan * Phra Pathommachedi, Nakhon Pathom *

Wat Pah Nanachat Wat Pah Nanachat () is a Theravāda Buddhist monastery in Isan, northeast Thailand, about 15 kilometres from the city of Ubon Rachathani. It was established in 1975 by Ajahn Chah as a training community for non-Thais according to the norms of th ...

(International Forest Monastery), Ubon Ratchathani

Gallery

Cambodia

Angkor Wat.jpg,

VatNokor 08.jpg, Wat Nokor, Kompong Cham, Cambodia 2016 Phnom Penh, Pałac Królewski, Srebrna Pagoda (05).jpg, Silver Pagoda Wat Peapahd.Battambang.2009.jpg, Vihear of Wat Peapet, Battambang, Cambodia 2016 Phnom Penh, Wat Botum (09).jpg, Vihear of Wat Botum Wattey, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Phnom Penh Wat Unalom 01.jpg, Wat Ounalom 2016 Phnom Penh, Wat Langka (22).jpg, Wat Langka

Laos

Wat Xieng Thong (Luang Prabang, Laos).JPG, Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang Wat Si Saket side view, Vientiane, Laos.jpg, Wat Sisaket

Thailand

Wat Phra That Chang Kham, bôt, chedi et viharn, Nan.jpg, Two wihans and a chedi at Wat Phra That Chang Kham, Nan Wat Mahathard - panoramio.jpg, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Phitsanulok Photo from Bangkok by Roman Kharkovski (20).jpg, Wat Phra Kaew วัดราชนัดดารามวรวิหาร เขตพระนคร กรุงเทพมหานคร (27).JPG, Wat Ratchadatdaram Phra That Doi Suthep 01.jpg, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Bangkok Wat Arun P1130161.JPG, Mondop and Chedi of Wat Arun Wat Niwet Thamaprawat - panoramio (3).jpg, Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, Ayutthaya

Other countries

Wat Buddhapadipa, Buddhist Temple 02.jpg, Wat Buddhapadipa in Wimbledon, London, UK Buddharama Nukari.jpg, Interior of the Thai Buddhist wat in

Nukari Nukari (; ) is a village located in the northeast part of Nurmijärvi municipality of Finland, near the border of Tuusula municipality. The nearest neighboring village is Jokela, about 4 kilometers. Next to Nukari is the Finnish national road 45, ...

, Nurmijärvi, Finland
Some Tai Khun monasteries in East Shan State, Myanmar are in wat-style
but may be called

kyaung A ''kyaung'' (, ) is a monastery ( vihara), comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of Buddhist monks. Burmese ''kyaungs'' are sometimes also occupied by novice monks (samanera), lay attendants ('' kappiya''), nuns (''thilashin''), and wh ...

, while some may be called wat but in kyaung style.

References

{{Religion in Thailand Hindu temples Buddhist architecture

Etymology

Overview

Types

Structure

Examples

Cambodia

Laos

Malaysia

Singapore

Thailand

Gallery

Cambodia

Laos

Thailand

Other countries

See also

References