Landscape Language in a Contemporary Thai Buddhist Temple Ground: The Case of Wat Phra Dhammakaya

Abstract

     The objective of this study was to analyze the language and meaning in the landscape design of a contemporary Buddhist setting—the Dhammakaya Temple—in comparison with traditional temples. Research methods used included a study of landscape planning, an analysis of landscape signs, and the use of participatory observation to obtain information about spatial use. The study of the language of landscape covers an analysis of the signifier and the signified, and the relationship between them, including both denotative and connotative meanings. The study found the language of the landscape in the Dhammakaya Temple was clearly different from that in traditional temples in terms of landscape planning, landscape signs, and spatial use. The traditional aspects that were maintained included the use of north-south and east-west axes for layout and the use of Buddhist terminology. The language of landscape used in the Dhammakaya temple exemplified a departure from traditional Buddhist temple ground design. As a result, it no longer communicated the same messages.