“แม่วัด” ภาพสะท้อนวิถีไทยในรัฐกลันตัน ประเทศมาเลเซีย

Abstract

The objective of the research is to study local believes, styles and the usages of the supreme abbot’s dwelling or “Mae Wat” in Kalantan, including the influence and relation between “Mae Wat” and the Thai community in Kalantan. The population is the supreme abbot’s dwellings located in 18 temples in Kalantan, Malaysia. The researchers chose 5 temples as the samples; because the some of those temples have already been dismantled and rebuilt and some have been renovated without leaving any trail. The methods used to acquire the information are; 1) to interview the locals, the abbots, and the builders 2) to explore the area, observe the structure and collect the information of the styles from photos. The information will be analyzed by comparing styles and decorations to other “Mae Wat” in the same state or nearby in order to find the similarities and differences. The result shows that; 1) the position of “Mae Wat” is related to the ancient believes about the position of the monks’ dwellings according with the ordination hall which faces the west. “Mae Wat”, on the other hand, faces the north and is located in front of the ordination hall between the west and the south. This direction is believed to be Mahamoggallana’s direction. It can also be located in front of the ordination hall between the west and the north. This direction is believed to be Sariputta’s direction. 2) the styles and usages of “Mae Wat” are related to Malay house in Pattani province, Narathiwat province, Kalantan and Trangganu and some decorations display Thai styles. The relationship between the “Mae Wat” and the Thais in Kalantan is similar to the Malay people in south in which Imams have large house to show the importance of the religion leaders. The size of the supreme abbot’s dwelling or“Mae Wat” shows the power and merit of the abbot. This shows the Thai lifestyles and shows that the Thais have a good relationship with the larger groups of people, who have different cultures.