Geo-Information Technology for Environmental Management of Buddhist Temples Accoding to Sappaya in Mueng Nan And Phu Phiang Districts, Nan Province

Abstract

This study emphasizes the use of geo-information technology for environmental management of Buddhist temples according to the concept of ‘beneficial or advantageous conditions to mental development’ (Sappàya) in Mueang Nan and Phu Phiang District, Nan Province. It aims to analyze Buddhist temple layout and initiated a Buddhist Temple Sappàya Index model (BTSI) which was informed by the five supporting components for Buddhist monks’ practice of Dhamma education (Ganthadhura) and religious activities in meditation (Vipassanàdhura). The study involves the analysis of the data gathered from the Tripiṭaka, commentaries, field surveys, questionnaires, online Google Maps, vector spatial data, textbooks, documents, and very high-resolution digital imagery from WorldView-3 satellite. The obtained data are processed using Open source QGIS Version 3.22.9 Białowieża geospatial software.

The Buddhist temple layout accentuates the construction of the Buddhàvàsa area. On the Buddhàvàsa ground, 50.0 percent of temples under royal monastery and 50.0 percent of temples under community monastery have principal senàsana /buildings such as Uposatha hall, Vihàra, Chedi, drum tower/belfry, and preaching halls. Overall, three temples under royal monastery receive a high BTSI score between 94.90 to 80.30 percent.  Five of temples under community monastery also have a high BTSI scores between 93.2 to 81.3 percent. In addition, forty-four temples under community monastery have a moderate BTSI, with scores range from 79.6 to 51.4 percent. Finally, forty-three temples under community monastery receive a BTSI with a score of less than 50.0 percent.