THE GUIDELINE FOR CONS ERVATION OF LIVING HERITAGE TEMPLES IN THAI CONTEXT: THE CAS E S TUDY OF LIVING HERITAGE TEMPLES IN RATTANAKOS IN ISLAND By Bhakhak anok Ratanawaraporn A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism (International Program) Graduate School SILPAKORN UNIVERS ITY 2011 THE GUIDELINE FOR CONS ERVATION OF LIVING HERITAGE TEMPLES IN THAI CONTEXT : THE CAS E S TUDY OF LIVING HERITAGE TEMPLES IN RATTANAKOS IN ISLAND By Bhakhak anok Ratanawaraporn A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism (International Program) Graduate School SILPAKORN UNIVERS ITY 2011 The Graduate School, Silpakorn University has approved and accredited the Thesis title of “The Guideline for Conservation of Living Heritage Temples in Thai Context : The Case Study of Living Heritage Temples in Rattanakosin Island” submitted by Ms.Bhakhakanok Ratanawaraporn as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism ……........................................................................ (Assistant Professor Panjai Tantatsanawong, Ph.D.) Dean of Graduate School ........../..................../.......... The Thesis Advisor Professor Emeritus Ken Taylor The Thesis Examination Committee .................................................... Chairman (Professor Emeritus Trungjai Buranasomphob, Ph.D.) ............/......................../.............. .................................................... Member (Assistant Professor Pibul Jinawath, Ph.D.) ............/......................../.............. .................................................... Member (Professor Emeritus Ken Taylor) ............/......................../.............. 52056951: MAJOR : ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM KEY WORDS : CONSERVATION/HERITAGE/BUDDHISM/TEMPLE BHAKHAKANOK RATANAWARAPORN : THE GUIDELINE FOR CONSERVATION OF LIVING HERITAGE TEMPLES IN THAI CONTEXT : THE CASE STUDY OF LIVING HERITAGE TEMPLES IN RATTANAKOSIN ISLAND. THESIS ADVISOR : PROFESSOR EMERITUS KEN TAYLOR. 172 pp. Living heritage temple in Thai context refers to Theravada Buddhist temple having heritage significance in which the monks reside and the religious rites have taken place continuously. In Thai society, Buddhist temples are considered as one kind of cultural heritage imbued with unique intangible value. Thus, a relevant conservation concept is needed to protect their special significance and cultural context. Although many living heritage temples have been protected by the laws enacted by the government sector, these laws still have the limitation on conservation concepts which pay more attention to protect tangible aspect and lack a clear concept for safeguarding intangible aspect. Indeed, the preservation of physical components will become completely meaningless if the physical aspects endure while their true meanings are neglected. The process to achieve the right understanding of living heritage temples should be started with the assessment of cultural significance which is an essential prerequisite to making decisions about the conservation policy. Cultural significance of living heritage temples consists of historic, aesthetic, spiritual and social value. Historic value of Buddhist temples encompasses the history of aesthetics seen in their physical components and the relationship with society found in the continuous traditions of religious activities, including the inspiration from Theravada Buddhism in the creation of tangible aspects and in the formation of religious traditions. Aesthetic value of architectural designs and decorations as well as of images of the Buddha and his disciples found in Buddhist temples reflects the religious belief devoted to the ideal of Theravada Buddhism. This is the true meaning inherent in physical aspects of Buddhist temples. Furthermore, the tranquil surroundings are inextricably linked with physical aspects of Buddhist temples. Spiritual value of Buddhist temple refers to the Teachings of the Buddha or the Dharma. Social value has emerged from the inheritance, maintenance and dissemination of the Dharma or spiritual value by the elder monks to the young monks and to the laity. The right understanding of cultural significance of living heritage temples can lead to the appropriate conservation policy and is to ensure that all heritage values, tangible and intangible, will be protected. In addition, the conservation policy of living heritage temples should not attempt to freeze them at a moment in time, but rather guide the inevitable changes in ways which are sympathetic to the existence of past and present expressions. Moreover, the conservation policy should be created from a bottom-up approach with residents’ participation integral to the planning process. The dissemination of information to the residents and all related stakeholders is an important part for decreasing any further conflicts of misunderstanding and for the accomplishment to sustainable conservation of living heritage temples. Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism Graduate School, Silpakorn University Academic Year 2011 Student's signature ........................................ Thesis Advisor's signature ........................................ c Acknowledgments Foremost among the long list of kind people who assisted me throughout the formation of this dissertation is my advisor, Prof. Ken Taylor, for whom I have always had the highest regard. He stimulated me to think freely and provided many inestimable suggestions which can guide me during my writing. It is therefore my very pleasure to thank him for his invaluable help. I am so grateful to Venerable Kantasilo Bhikkhu and Phra Maha Chatchai of Wat Bowornniwet Vihara who suggest the valuable information of Buddhist philosophy and to all Buddhist monks of 12 royal temples in Rattanakosin Island who suggest the information of heritage temples which lead to the complete work of this dissertation. I would like to thank all foreign professors of the International Program in Architectural Heritage Management, Silpakorn University for special knowledge and vision of architectural heritage management. I would like to thank Dr. M.R. Pumin Varavarn for the suggestion during the dissertation formation. I am grateful to Saint John’s University for the scholarship and the opportunity of doctoral learning. I am appreciative of the friendship from all my old friends of Saint John’s school and Triamudom School. Special thanks for Ms. Kamala who always encourages me and for Mr. Suphot who always gives me a helping hand. Moreover, a word of deep appreciation is extended to my lovely father and my family who always support all my doing. d Table of Contents Page Abstract .............................................................................................................................................................c Acknowledgments ...........................................................................................................................................d List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................................h Chapter 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................1 Statement and significance of the problem.....................................................................1 Goal .......................................................................................................................................1 Objectives .............................................................................................................................2 Scope of the study ...............................................................................................................2 Research methodology .......................................................................................................4 Research instrument............................................................................................................4 Collection of data ................................................................................................................4 Analysis of data ...................................................................................................................5 Process of the study ............................................................................................................5 Sources of data.....................................................................................................................5 2 The concepts of cultural heritage conservation ......................................................................6 The concepts of cultural heritage conservation at international level ........................7 The Venice Charter.......................................................................................................7 The World Heritage Convention ................................................................................7 The Florence Charter....................................................................................................8 The Washington Charter..............................................................................................8