MEDITATING ON HISTORY

       Old memories are revived as the 15th-century vihara of a Phitsanulok wat opens its doors to a huge collection of antiques
       For centuries the old vihara of Wat Ratchaburana served as home to a single golden Buddha image. Then last year, things changed. With the blessing of the abbot, Phra Khru Sittithammawipach, hundreds of antiques were placed inside the building.
       "The idea is to allow people to view the rare items during their visits," says the old monk. "The aniques' donors dreamt of creating a museum and learning centre."
       The vihara was chosen, says Sittithammawipach, because it had ample space to house the large collection. It's now been unofficially dubbed the Wat Ratchaburana Museum.
       "Some of the items here are very rare," says the abbot, who is seeking help from the Fine Arts Department to date them and provide descriptions for visitors.
       This is thought to be the first time such a venerable vihara has been used as a museum. The vihara and chedi are original constructions that date back to the reign of King Boromma Trailokana (1448-1488). The temple was declared a site of historical importance in 1936.
       Those deep historical roots are what inspired the generosity of the museum's major donor, Lert Ruangtim.
       "I built up my collection over more than a decade. Its value is incalculable," says the 51-year-old, who came across many of the antiques while trading in old timber.
       "A business acquaintance dropped by my house and said the collection should be on public display. He mentioned Wat Ratchaburana as a possible site and I liked the idea of donating the antiques to a religious cause."
       Though born in Phitsanulok, Lert admits that he had never visited Wat Ratchaburana before the museum plan came up.
       Most people overlook the temple in favour fo nearby Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat where the famous Phra Buddha Chinnaraj image is enshrined.
       "When the museum idea was floated, I went to check out Wat Ratchaburana. I was thrilled to see how the ubosot had escaped the Burmese invasions unscathed. I gave the green light to my business friend's plan immediately."
       Though it is worth many times as much, Lert accepted the Bt200,000 offered by the businessman for his collection. "I agreed because I wanted the rare items to be conserved and displayed in the temple's vihara for years to come," he said.
       Turning the vihara into a museum has brought no objections from the Fine Arts Department. Director of Fine Arts Department Office 6, Anan Chuchote, says he would be happy to help identify and categorise the antiques for display.
       "We are ready to support the establishment of the museum as long as it does not adversely affect the temple's historical-site status," he said. "It should not damage its identity as a place of worship either, though personally I think the old temple has enough to boast about without the new attraction."
       However, there might be trouble brewing for the museum. The Fine Arts Department is planning to renovate the fading murals that adorn the walls of the vihara and ubosot and the antiques will have to be moved out for the duration of the work. That could just agitate their donor.

       WAT RATCHABURANA
       - Location: Tambon Nai Muang, Muang district, Phitsanulok
       - Background: The temple was built during the 15-year period (1468-88) when King Boromma Trailokanat moved his capital to Phitsanulok. Over the centuries, visiting kings have made additions to the original.
       - The ubosot was originally built in the style of the Sukhothai era but was later renovated according to Ayutthaya- and Rattanakosin-period designs. Its walls are adorned with early Rattanakosin-era murals.
       - Likewise, the vihara's original Sukhothai-era design has been altered with later additions. Enshrined behind its Rattanakosin-era carved wooden doors is a Sukhothai-era Buddha image made of gold.
       - The chedi, located behind the original ubosot, was built by Sukhothai-era craftsmen and underwent renovations during the Ayutthaya and then Rattanakosin periods. Local legend has it that the remains of King Boromma are enshrined within.
       - The Tripitaka scripture tower and the bell tower are Rattanakosin-era constructions which have undergone many renovations.