Photo Gallery

Wat Xieng Thong Tripitaka Library (built 1828)

The Tripitaka Library (Haw Kawng, Haw Trai or Hor Tai) is one of the names given to this small chapel immediately behind the sim of Wat Xieng Thong. Historically it served as a storehouse for the Tripitaka, the 'three baskets' of the Theravada Buddhist canon of scriptures. Although the building possibly dates from 1828, there doubtless were earlier repositories for the sacred texts. In addition to the scriptures, the building houses several important gilded Buddha images. Unfortunately, I was unable to find anyone to unlock the door during times I visited, so there are no images of the interior. There is a small hole drilled through one of the gilded front doors that permits some viewing.

The exterior resembles that of the Red Chapel with red/pink stucco inset with similar brightly color glassed mosaics relating scenes of local customs and traditions. There is a double-tiered roof with a lower perimeter roof supported by sixteen elaborate gilded eave brackets, and an elevated gable roof with gilded wooden relief sculptures under the gables on the east and west sides.

Text by Robert D. Fiala, Concordia University, Nebraska, USA