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The Thai Buddhist monastery Wat Srinagarindravararam at the outskirts of the village Gretzenbach (NW Switzerland). The monastery was officially inaugurated in 1996; the traditionally styled temple (in front) in 2003. The monastery is named after the mother of the reigning King Bhumipol, Princess Srinagarindra. |
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As in Asia, the monastery and temple are surrounded by a wall to demarcate the religious and profane spheres. The "Wat" (Thai for monastery) was financed by donations from Thai and Swiss people and gifts from the Thai Royal court. In particular, the royal mother Princess Srinagarindra (1900-1995) contributed generously and enabled to establish this religious and cultural centre for Thai people resident in Switzerland. |
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The traditionally styled temple (Thai "Ubosoth") was completed in summer 2003. Her Holiness Princess Galayani Vadhana, sister to King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej, inaugurated the new building. The building had cost about 4.7 million Swiss francs (US$ 3.8 mill.). |
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Inside the temple (Ubosoth) with the huge Thai styled Buddha figure at top of the altar. The Ubosoth is used for the assembly of monks, for ordination ceremonies of novices and monks as well as for the fortnightly recitations of the rules of discipline by the monks. |
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Close up view on the central altar with various Buddha figures. The towering golden Buddha is called Phra Buddhajinaraja, the emerald–green Buddha in front Phra Keo, of much importance in Thailand. The altar is splendidly decorated for the religious ceremony of Kathina, the ritual offering of gifts to the monks. |
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Looking from the back of the temple hall to the end wall with the golden Buddha. On the right side at the front gifts are piled to be donated to the monks next day. As the temple room is not that big to accommodate the numerous guests who come to the bigger Buddhist and royal festivals, a function hall is to be found in the cellar, underneath the temple. |
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The multi-purpose function hall, able to accommodate up to 350 people, has a stage at its end. The platform is used for both religious ceremonies and cultural events such as Thai dances and song contests. The hall is also used for educational purposes of the youth, a Sunday school is regularly held as well as classes in Thai language. |
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Monks perform a ceremony on stage of the function hall. To the back, the banners of the commemoration celebration of the 72nd birthday of the Thai Queen Sirikit are still displayed. At Wat Srinagarindravararam, in addition to the traditional Buddhist festivals various festive days honour the Thai royal family. Amongst others, monks perform ceremonies in honour of King Chulalongkon (Rama V) and Princess Srinagarindra (24th Oct.) and on the birthday of the reigning King Bhumiphol Adulyadej (5th Dec.) |
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The abbot of Wat Srinagarindravararam is Phraraja Kittimoli, Dr. Thongsoon Rongthong Suriyajoto. He has already lived in Switzerland for about ten years. The monastic sangha (order) at the Wat consists of six monks, all versed in Pali Studies and having obtained university degrees. The Wat is a branch monastery of Bangkok's famous marble temple Wat Benchamabopitr. This Wat was founded by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1899. Monks from this Wat are selected to stay in Switzerland to serve the religious and cultural needs of Thai people. The picture shows Phraraja Kittimoli in the middle (third from left) on the occasion of a visit of a student group from the University of Lucerne at Wat Srinagarindravararam in January 2003. |
