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The Shrine of Wat Triprasith, The Great Valuable Thai Tradition |
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Similar to elsewhere, the effects of modern development have slowly washed away many Thai traditional beliefs and practices. The “Sim”, a simple native Buddhist shrine with certain outstanding characteristics reflecting the traditional lifestyle of people in the northeast of Thailand is disappearing. A “Sim” is the word used by Thai northeastern people to describe a small Buddhist shrine. The word derives from “sima” or “sema”, a demarcation mark identifying the borders of a monastic area. In olden days, a “Sim” was built both on land and water, called either “Sim-on-land”, or “Sim-on-water”, the latter being phased out in the last few decades, leaving only “Sim-on-land” to be seen today. Its structure can be roughly grouped into two styles: no-wall Sim and closed, four-wall Sim. The Sim replicated the northeastern traditional and native Sim of the Buddhasima Temple at Tambon Fangdaeng, Amphoe Thadpanom, Nakorn Phanom Province. It is a closed, four-wall Sim-on-land. The replica was built at Wat Triprasith in Tambon Pralab, Amphoe Muang, Khon Kaen Province, selected because of an absence of a proper shrine for monks to perform religious rituals, and for lay-follower to use for their religious functions. The external characteristics of the new Sim of Wat Triprasith are the same as that of the Buddhasima Temple, with a simple, sufficient and compact architectural style that complies with His Majesty’s principles of self-sufficiency. In addition, “Hoob Taem”, or wall paintings by native painters, reflects the indigenous understanding of Buddhism. This is one way of conserving local traditions and native arts for future generations. The simple drawing of Hoop Taem chronicles stories of the Buddha, local folklore and beliefs according to Buddhist precepts. These symbolically reflect how close the Thai people in olden days were bonded to their Buddhist beliefs and practices. Apart from its external structure, the Sim of Wat Triprasith is also a center for other, traditional forms of heritage. The intricate interior decorations are an integration of several traditional works of art and craftsmanship. The murals tell stories of the Lord Buddha’s 13 incarnations, while the delicate woodcarvings on the door depict Phra Paisarop, the God of Treasures and Honesty. In the center of the shrine is a beautiful Buddha image that was graciously presided over by the Supreme Patriarch at the gold-molding ceremony, naming it “Phra Buddhamongkol Triprasith”. The Supreme Patriarch also ceremonially blessed and placed a Buddha relic on the head of the image. Since Wat Triprasith is located in Thailand’s northeast, the interior wall murals reflect the lifestyle of local people, the artists integrating into the paintings stories of the Lord Buddha, drawings of baskets of glutinous rice, jars of “au drink” a native alcoholic drink and “Kane”, a native music instrument. Paintings on the wall of “Ho phra” in the front part of the Sim, where the image of Phra Buddhamongkol Triprasith is situated, depicts Buddhist teachings on the life cycle, namely, birth, growing old, falling ill and death. In addition, painters depicted children’s folk plays, such as a horse made of banana branches, kite flying and tiger-hunt dances. The paintings of traditional tools include local bowls for mixing herbal medicines and a pot for boiling herbal remedies replete with bamboo stick, cut in the pattern of a star, which is used to bless the medicine produced from boiling herbs. The Sim of Wat Triprasith is not just a simple, religious place, but is seen by the construction group as a place of education for younger generations of local people to learn the valuable local traditions and folk art for years to come. | ||||||
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 October 2008 ) | ||||||
