Vat Pa Houak
ວັດປ່າຮວກ
"The Temple of the Thornless Bamboo Forest" was founded in 1861 by Phaya Si Mahanam and built in Siamese style. This temple was formerly used as the private chapel of the king. Inside are rare nineteenth century murals depicting the humbling of King Jambupati (Lao: Thao Somphupati, ທ້າວຊົມພູປັຕິ ) by the Buddha and other scenes showing Luang Prabang as a heavenly city receiving Chinese, European and Persian visitors. Infamously, the French art historian Henri Parmentier in his L'art du Laos described these charming and interesting murals as "ridiculous".
King Sisavangvong and Queen Khampan sponsored restoration work in 1928. In 1942 the community of monks and nuns that lived at this monastery were moved out by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the old buildings in which they had lived were demolished, considered unsightly in front of the royal palace. For some years the temple was used as a Buddhist library.
Today there are no resident monks and the sim is only open on certain holy days. In 2016 the French government sponsored restoration work but the murals remain in a badly deteriorated state.
[www.orientalarchitecture.com, www.insidelaos.com]
King Sisavangvong and Queen Khampan sponsored restoration work in 1928. In 1942 the community of monks and nuns that lived at this monastery were moved out by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the old buildings in which they had lived were demolished, considered unsightly in front of the royal palace. For some years the temple was used as a Buddhist library.
Today there are no resident monks and the sim is only open on certain holy days. In 2016 the French government sponsored restoration work but the murals remain in a badly deteriorated state.
[www.orientalarchitecture.com, www.insidelaos.com]
