Ku Santarat, an Arogayasala in Northeast Thailand

Abstract

The paper presents the impact of religious concepts and beliefs on the architecture of the Arogayasala. Prasat Ku-Santarat is the chapels of Arogayasala (hospital) built in the reign of Khmer King Jayavarman VII to house Bhaisajayaguru- Vaidurya-Prabha and other deity images. The site is located near an ancient community. The images found at the place of worship reveal clearly the impact of religious concepts through the positions of those divine images. Inside the Prasat (Central sanctuary) are three principal images, i.e. Bhaisajayaguru-Vaidurya-Prabha (Bodhisattva Vajra) accompanied by Surya-Vairocana and Candra-Vairocana. At the Entrance of Gopura, the sculpture of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (the Watchful Lord) is located. Inside Library, were two images, namely Yama, the god of death and Bodhisattva Vajrapani, the god of the heaven.