viharn

Viharn, written in Thai as วิหาร and sometimes transliterated as vihāra, is a term used in Buddhist temple architecture to denote the assembly or sanctuary hall. In Thai temples, the viharn is one of the principal buildings and serves as the space where laypeople gather for worship, chanting, teaching, and community ceremonies. The name derives from the Pali/Sanskrit vihāra, meaning a dwelling or monastery, and in contemporary usage it specifically refers to the hall that houses the principal Buddha images and altars used for public rites.

Function and use

The viharn is typically used for daily worship, religious instruction, and special ceremonies such as festivals and sermons. It often contains one or more Buddha statues placed on a raised dais and surrounded by smaller images, offerings, and ritual furnishings. The hall is designed to accommodate lay participants and is commonly the site of collective chanting and Dhamma talk.

Architecture and layout

Architecturally, the viharn is usually a long rectangular hall with a raised platform or altar area along one side or center. Windows and doors along the length permit natural light and air, while interior decoration can include intricate woodwork, murals, and iconography reflective of regional styles. The viharn is commonly separate from, but connected to, the ubosot (ordination hall), which is the stricter space reserved for monastic rites and ordinations.

Regional variations

Beyond Thailand, similar structures exist in other Southeast Asian temples where the term vihāra or viharn is used for the main assembly hall or temple sanctuary. In some contexts, the word also denotes monastery buildings or monk’s quarters, depending on local tradition.

See also

Buddhist temple architecture, Ubosot, Wihan.