Less than a week ago we saw a Facebook post about an 100+ years old vihara (main hall) of a remote village temple called
Thongsiri under a threat of being demolished. Most people were concerned because it was ancient and beautiful in a simple way. The post said the villagers wanted to have it torn down on February 4, 2011. Being advocates of cultural heritage, I and 3 friends drove to the temple this afternoon (Jan. 30, 2011). We found the pleasant little temple nestled in a small valley. The whole compound is a little over one rai of land. In a hall by the south gate we saw villagers, middle-aged to elderly, working on the preparation of a northern ritual of life blessing (suebchata) to be held on February 4, 2011. The abbot greeted us and
started talking about the Facebook post with us. Apparently the post has stirred interest from the authority and now the demolishing plan is being halted until after the discussion between Department of Fine Arts and the local people scheduled
for February 3, 2011.
The vihara is actually very small and its construction was completed only about 50 or so years ago. The claim that it was 130 years old is based on perhaps the first days bricks were laid on the premise, probably for PR purpose. The architecture is not that outstanding but it is simple and thus charming. Of course I would want something this beautiful to stay but the story we heard from the abbot was also heart-rending. After I heard the story, I don’t know what to think or which side to take up.
The village consists of devout Buddhists and the temple is alive with people making merits on a regular basis and holding on tightly to Buddhist rituals. At the gate, we saw slippers being left by it, outside of the temple grounds--a tradition we don’t see anymore in town temples. As a matter of fact, I learned today that Buddhists in the former times usually did this. Nowadays we leave our shoes before we enter temple buildings but not outside the temple. The villagers love their temple and their vihara. It is only because it’s in a bad shape that they decided it’s time to build a new one. This is because they need one with a better condition so that they can continue to perform religious ceremonies.
The abbot said they planned to rebuild it in the same old style and to enlarge it so they had more space (it is really a tiny vihara). What they fear is that if and when the vihara in under the protection of Department of Fine Arts, the construction might get halted from budget cut or other unexpected reasons and the villagers will end up having no hall for their ritual performances. If the vihara is being put under the protection of Department of Fine Arts, it will no longer belong to them; it will become a showcase for tourists, no longer a living vihara the way it is. We sensed and sympathized with the frustration the abbot and local people feel about this sensitive issue.
I for one can’t decide what is best for Thongsiri vihara. Yes, it is worth being preserved. But if this means the villagers will have to find a new temple, who will help them find one? Is an old building, regardless of its architectural and cultural values, as important or more important than preserving a living cultural heritage? Do we want a museum or a living temple? This is a hard question and I think both sides have to consider factors that affect the demolishing of Thongsiri vihara. Often times going by the book and overlooking people’s feelings results in sad circumstances. We promise the abbot that we will publicize his and the villagers’ view on the subject so that the public is aware of the other side of the story. The villagers working in the hall thanked us for our promise and gave us blessing. I hope that whatever the result of the meeting on Feb. 3, 2011 maybe, it is one which yields benefits for those who deserve them the most, one that both sides can “win.”
