Wihan

Wihan is a term used in Buddhist temple architecture and, less commonly, as a personal name. In Southeast Asian Buddhist temples, the word is often transliterated as wihan, and in Thai it corresponds to the assembly hall where sermons are given and lay devotees participate in ceremonies. The Thai term is written as วิหาร. In English-language descriptions, the hall is frequently referred to as the wihan. It is typically distinguished from other temple buildings such as the ubosot (ordination hall) and the chedi (stupa).

In a broader Buddhist context, the root forms vihāra or vihāran come from Sanskrit and Pali and mean dwelling, monastery, or temple. These terms have given rise to various local spellings and usages across the Buddhist world, including halls or sanctuaries within temple complexes that serve as spaces for contemplation, chanting, and teaching.

Wihan also appears as a personal name or surname in some cultures, though it is relatively uncommon. When encountered in genealogical or biographical sources, it may reflect transliteration practices rather than a single, uniform origin.

See also: Vihara; Vihear; Buddhist temple architecture.