Town Sacred Shrines: Dynamics and Resilience of Faith, Functions and Relationships with Present Communities

Bhadravarna Bongsasilp

As a variety of belief systems among different groups of people create cultural diversity and shape community identities, patterns of the community settlements closely relate to spiritual beliefs and sacred landscape that are created, emerged and utilized as sacred spaces or town shrines within communities. Town sacred shrines reflect cultural identities and may shift according to the purposes, belief and uses of the communities. This paper explores the dynamics and resilience of selected heritage town sacred shrines, established by, or associated with, diverse belief systems, including local animism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism across Thailand - a melting pot of culture. It examines their diverse forms, functions and relationships with various groups of people which are defined as their present-day communities. From the perspective of sacred archaeology, the key research question is why and how these heritage town shrines are used and transformed in different ways. The objectives are to investigate variations in their locations and/or landscapes, architectural forms and decorative elements, sacred statues, rituals and uses as well as to understand factors contributing to their continuity and change under current social and urban pressures. This paper also opens discussion on heritage hierarches in terms of ownership, use, management and protection among different community groups.