Planning of the Aranyavasi Temples in Thai Society

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to study the history and development of temples in Theravada Buddhist scriptures; 2) to study the planning of the Aranyavasi temples in Thai society; and 3) to analyze the planning guidelines of the Aranyavasi temples in Thai society. It was a qualitative research by descriptive analysis method about the temples appearing in Tipitaka, Commentary, and Visuddhimagga including related research. The results of the research were as follows: 1) according to the Lord Bhuddha's permission for the temple, King Bimbisara dedicated a bamboo plantation that was Wat Weruvan. Later, believers built a Vihara in Wat Weluvan. The development of the temple was even greater as Anathapindika, a millionaire, built many dwellings in the Jetavana Temple including a large castle in Wat Bupparam of Visakha-Maha Upasika as well; 2) Wat Aranyavasi, both Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya, usually located in a forested area. There was no fixed plan for building a temple, but it was in harmony with nature. Most of the buildings had only a multi-purpose pavilion which was used as a church and a pavilion in the same place. There was also a monk’s house for meditation, a bathroom, etc.; 3) guidelines for planning of the Aranvasi temples should abstain from Asappaya but should use the Sappaya 7 including the determination of the components of the dwelling and demarcation of the important areas of the temple clearly, namely chapel area, monks’ living quarters area, Upasaka and Ubasika area. There were a meditation hall, meditation grounds, accommodation buildings, meditation ground, a monk’s house for meditation, bathrooms, toilets, etc., that should be in an appropriate direction. This meant building temples in such a way that was conducive to a place or person that was comfortable and suitable for each other, especially to support the practice of meditation.