Sala (architecture)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Freshly renovated Sala in Wat Rajbopit, Bangkok
Freshly renovated Sala in Wat Rajbopit, Bangkok

A Sala (Thai: ศาลา), also known as a Sala Thai, is an open pavilion, used as a meeting place and to protect people from sun and rain. Most are open on all four sides. They are found throughout Thailand in Buddhist temple areas, or Wats, although they can also be located in other places. A person who builds a sala at a temple or in a public place gains religious merit.

In Thailand, they have many purposes. In rural areas, travelers can use them to rest and reflect. These salas are called sala asai. Salas even exist at some bus stops. If they are on a riverbank or canal as a landing-place for ships, they are called sala thanam (“water pavilions”). A sala located in a temple is called a salawat. Some temples have large salas where laity can hear sermons or receive religious instructions. These are called sala kan parian (pavilion where monks learn for the Parian examination).

[edit] References

The Royal Sala Thai, University of Hawaii at Manoa
The Royal Sala Thai, University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • East-West Center, A Commemorative Book by the Thai Students at the East-West Center on the Occasion of the Presentation of the Asia Pacific Community Building Award and Dedication of the Royal Sala Thai, Honolulu, East-west Center, 2008.