Part 2: Theoretical Frameworks and Relevant Documents
4. Wat Mahanam
Figure 21 Stupa at Wat Khian (Panot Asawachai, 2014.)
Social Value
Today, the temple is the community’s center for worship, community meetings, education, cremations and enshrining ashes of the deceased. Tt is also one of the nine temples in Ang Thong that are well-known for Thai Buddhist pilgrimage. As in 1973, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn came to offer the kathin (robes) to monks at this temple. Having seen the dilapidated ordination hall, the Princess gave an instruction to have the ordination hall renovated and restored. Therefore, her royal command for renovating and restoring this temple represents a memorial for the community.
stupa 3.) a pavilion (Sala Kan Parian) was built in 1942. 4.) a praying hall 5.) a group of residences for monks 6.) a bell tower 7.) a crematorium (Men) and 8.) Wat Mahanam primary school.
Historic Value
Wat Mahanam is a small Buddhist temple belonging to the Mahanikaya Sect. There was no evidence as to the construction of this temple. Archeological traces at this temple such as the old Buddha Image and the square based stupa with twelve indented corners tend to support the assumption that this temple was built in the Ayutthaya period. Moreover, based on the surrounding area and the characteristics of nearby temples such as Wat Saket and Wat Kampang, it is likely that Wat Mahanam and other temples in the vicinity were built during the same period and had been abandoned for quite a long time before they were restored. In the reign of King Rama V of Bangkok, this temple was named as “Wat Intraram”. Later on, there was a monk who was named “Phra Maharanam”. This monk stayed at this temple and restored this temple by himself. Therefore, the villagers changed the name of this temple as “Wat Intraram Nammaha”.
After that, the name of this temple was difficult to remember and pronoun so, the villagers change its name again to be “Wat Mahanam”. This temple houses “Luang Pho Khao”, a four hundred years old seated Buddha image. Moreover, the villagers believe that this Buddha image was built in the reign of King Naresuan the great for celebrating his defeating the army of Noratra Mangsosri, the Viceory of Chiang Mai in 1585.
Aesthetic Value
Wat Mahanam is a community’s temple of Ban Mahanam village. When Phra Kru Wisutthi Chaikhun or Luang Por Saxad Suthiwo has become the abbot of this temple in 1973, this temple has been developed as a religious tourism’s destination. However, there are three buildings which has not been changed much in the temple’s compound. The aesthetic value of these three buildings is described as following:
Ordination Hall (Ubosot)
The old ordination Hall of Wat Mahanam faces east. The original ordination hall was quite small and was constructed by masonry and plastering work. There are two entrances in the front and two entrances at the back of the principle Buddha image. On each of the side walls there are four windows, two of which were small square windows. The building is a small rectangular
building of simple Thai style. Its roof structure is wooden, roofed with glazed terracotta tiles without decorations. Windows and door panels are plain, painted red. The pediments are decorated with Chinese porcelain ceramics. The ordination hall enshrines one priciple Buddha image on a local style base in a subduing Mara posture surrounded by other two seating Buddha images in subduing Mara posture also.
Figure 22 Ordinational hall at Wat Mahanam (Panot Asawachai, 2014.)
Square-based stupa with twelve indented corners
A stupa on a square-based with twelve indented corners stands in front of the ordination hall of Wat Mahanam. It is on the east side of the temple because the ordination hall faces to the east. Furthermore, it is on the back of Luang Pho Khao Viharn (assembly hall). This stupa is shown the special characteristic of the Ayutthaya period that is, its bell-shaped part is smaller with twelve indented corners on its basement. Its conical spire is consisted of three circular tiers and its finial is in the form of a group of lotuses.
Figure 23 Stupa at Wat Mahanam (Panot Asawachai, 2014.)
Luang Pho Khao Buddha Image in the old Viharn
Luang Pho Khao Buddha Image is housed in the old Viharn (Assembly hall). This building is believed that it is used to be an ordination hall of this temple before. Nowadays, there are only its square basement, two columns behind the principle Buddha image and its principle Buddha image which is named “Luang Pho Khao” left. Luang Pho Khao is a seating Buddha Image in the meditation posture. Its type of Buddha Image characteristic was famous in the late Ayutthaya period, approximately from the reign of King Prasat Thong onwards. Moreover, this principle Buddha image sits upon a high pedestal in the local style.
Figure 24 Luang Pho Khao Viharn (Panot Asawachai, 2014.)
Social Value
Nowadays, the temple is the community’s center for worship, community’s meetings, education, cremations and enshrining ashes of the deceased and it is also one of the nine temples in Ang Thong that are well-known for Thai Buddhist pilgrimage. Moreover, the people of this village and nearby provinces respects “Luang Pho Khao Buddha Image” as a representative of King Naresuan the great.