Sala Kan Parien This is an open pavilion, used as a meeting place and to protect people from sun and rain. Most are open on all four sides. They are found throughout Thailand in Buddhist temple areas, or Wats, although they can also be located in other places. A person who builds a sala at a temple or in a public place gains religious merit. A sala located in a temple is called a salawat. Some temples have large salas where laity can hear sermons or receive religious instructions. These are called sala kan parian (pavilion where monks learn for the Parian examination). In old time the Buddhist Doctrine was taught to the laymen only in the Sala Kan Parien, which usually is a common room differing in size according to the needs. Only few Wats have large Sala Kan Parien and in this case they have the same form of Bots or Viharas. In some cases the Sala Kan Parien are overelevated about two metres from the ground.