This research studies 'architectural terms' used by Thai architects in the past to explain Thai architecture. To understand the concept and characteristics of architectural space, the research specifically focuses on the terms that relate to 'space' in Thai Buddhist Architecture. The writings of Prince Krom Phraya Narisranuwattiwong provided most of the corpus used in this study. After key terms were selected from this corpus, older older editions of currently used dictionaries were gathered for the comparative analyzes of the terms' meanings indifferent contexts. Later, these terms were used to build a framework for the study of the various dimensions of Thai architecture which was used as a basis for the analysis and discussion of various characteristics of Thai architecture. This study focuses on the key terms which have been used to identify the significant aspects of the space in Buddhist architecture and which can bring about an understanding of the characteristics of Thai style in the past. These keyterms include Rabiang, Chaliang, Phalai, Chan, Chala, Lan, Khot, Sima, Fa, Phanang, Kamphangkeow, and Hong. The study found that certain terms are used to refer to more general characteristics of space, while others more specific characteristics of space. These terms can be divided into six groups as follows: - Rabiang, Chaliang, and Phalai which refer to the covered-space that extends from a building. Chan, Chala, and Lan are used to refer to the outside space or the space beyond a boundary line with no roof. Rabiang, and Khot which are used to refer to the enclosed space surrounding the main building of Buddhist building clusters. Sima which is used to refer to the conceptual space needed in official Buddhist ceremonies as written in the Buddhist monk disciplinary rules. Fa, Phanang, and Kamphangkeow which are used to refer to a boundary of specific area, but not to indicate the area itself. Hong which is used to refer to a partition of a specific space with an obvious boundary. In addition, it is found that each term indicating specific and significant space in Buddhist temple grounds is uded to illustrate space with a clear specified boundary or line. Different space is also a matter of different definitions and different utilization: - Rabiang Khot is used to refer to the clear boundary that surrounds the main building of the Buddhist temple grounds to indicate the symbolic meaning of the space in Buddhist cosmology. Sima is uded to refer to a boundary line specified by a symbolic indication, and more specifically a restricted area where disciplinary rules are strictly enforce and which is considered as a sacred area that obviously reflects different meanings and utilization. Kamphangkeow is used to refer to a boundary that surrounds an area to distinguish the interior space as a distinctive area in the Buddhist temple grounds. Fa and Phanang are used to refer to a boundary of a distinctive area that forms a room or Hong with clear borders, or a room for the Buddha image in particular, to indicate "Khanthakudi" a room for the Lord Buddha as the master of the room. An analysis of the implication of the terms and the conceptual and theoretical study of "sacred space" in Thai Buddhism reveals some of the contemporary characteristics of Buddhist space according to the 'ancient worldviews' which differ from current ones. It can be concluded from the study that there are three important characteristics of space in Buddhist architecture as follows: 1. Space in Buddhist architecture has a clear "area" and "boundary" 2. Space in Buddhist architecture has different meanings. 3. Space in Buddhist architecture has a hierarchical order of usage. These three important characteristics show that space in Thai Buddhist architecture, following ancient worldviews, needs special definitions and terms to characterize particular types of space. The last chapter of the study presents how important characteristics of space were developed into a framework for the analysis and discussion of matters related to space in current worldviews. These modern worldviews have influenced changes in the characteristics of space in Buddhist architecture and caused the loss of some unique Thai characteristics. Recommendations for further study are also provided.
