Les ho tham du Lanna, bibliothèques des monastères bouddhiques du Nord de la Thaïlande

Abstract

This illustrated article provides an overview of the libraries of the Buddhist monasteries in Northern Thailand from an historical and architectural point of view. These libraries, called ho tham, can be distinguished from other monastic buildings by their small proportions and remarkable elegance. If the finest specimens are now famous attractions this success has not so far brought the academic attention they deserve. These ‘houses of the Dhamma’ were designed to organize the ritual conservation of manuscripts excluding any kind of intellectual workspace (reading room, etc.). Their function is primarily religious and not educational. Appearing at an unspecified date (around the fifteenth century?) they reflect the literary development in the Buddhist kingdom of Lanna and the textual vitality in the vernacular, up to the twentieth century. Some sophisticated buildings were erected by palace craftsmen under royal command while many others were achieved by village artisans paid by local pious donations. All remained faithful to the aesthetics of the religious buildings of Lanna and other Tai kingdoms of the region. For all these reasons, history and heritage, they remain worthy of the greatest interest.