The ubosoth(chapel) of the Emerald Buddha faces the east as all Buddhist edifices must face either the east or a body of water. The ubosoth of the Emerald Buddha is surrounded by eight bai sema housed in ornate shelters, typical of other ubosoths in Thailand. The ubosoth is also surrounded by twelve salas or open shelters, built during the reign of King Rama I in the 18th century. Scholars sat in the salas and recited the Jatakas(stories of previous lives of the Buddha) on important days in the Buddhist calendar. The tales were recited in relay from pavilion to pavilion.