Page 109 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

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The “Phra Aram Luang” or Royal Temples

Thai Buddhist temples are of two types: Phra Aram Luang or Royal Temple, established
1 The Reclining Buddha in the Vihara or patronized by the king or his family member, and Wat Rat established by private citizens.
of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon-
mangkhalaram, Bangkok The Royal Temples are divided into 3 levels, the first, second, and third class temples
2 Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, in a descending order of significance. The temples in each class are graded by a further ranking
Chiang Mai Province order which precisely identifies their position in the hierarchical system. The suffixes of the names
of the three grades of the first class royal temples are Ratchavoramahavihan, Ratchavoravihan,
and Voramahavihan. The four grades of second class royal temples are Ratchavoramahavihan,
ratchavoravihan, Voramahavihan, and Voravihan. The third class royal temples consist of three
grades but with only two suffixes, which are Ratchavoravihan and Voravihan. The third grade
of this class has no suffix.

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