Evolution of Buddhist Cloisters After the 19th Century in the Chao Phraya River Basin

Abstract

Evolution of Buddhist Cloisters After the 19th Century in the Chao Phraya River Basin
The cloister is the continuous structural enclosure of a presidential building which has its origins in Khmer culture. Its influence has been observed in the monasteries in the Phraya River basin from the early Ayutthaya period onwards. However, the cloisters of the monasteries in the Chao Phraya River Valley are different from those in Khmer culture as listed:
1. In Khmer culture, the cloisters in notable temples usually consist of multiple layers. On the contrary, in the culture of Chao Phraya River Valley during the Ayutthaya period, the cloisters are found as a single enclosure of the principal monasteries of the city (Phra Nakorn).
2. In Khmer culture, the inside walls of the cloisters are decorated with bas relief carvings, the most popular themes during the 18th Buddhist century were the Buddha images, whereas the cloisters in the Chao Phraya River basin are adorned with Buddhist statues.
Due to the fact that the cloisters in the Ayutthaya period are found in the monasteries considered as the main temples of Phra Nakhon, the evolution of the cloisters in this period is not as developed as the ones in the Rattanakosin period where the development has reached its highest point as found on the top floor of the Phra Pathom Chedi Temple.