The monastie library in the Phutthawat section may have a spired superstructure shaped like a miniature palace or Phra Mondop. The term Phra Mondop is derived from the Sanskrit Mandapa (Pavilion). Originally a Mandapa was an enclosed porch rather like a shed attached to one side of the Sikhara tower of some Indian temples. Therefore in India it served as an entrance hall leading to the inner chamber . In Thailand however the term refers to an individual building which is augmented by exterior pillars and surmounted by a wooden roof of many receding tiers topped by a slender pinnacle . Such a Mondon style structure may be used to enshrine sacred objects such as the Phra Phutthabat (The footprint of the Buddha) which is venerated at Saraburi or it may be employed as a funeral display such as the Busabok platform for the urn of the Supreme Patriarch Prince Paramanuchit Chinorot at Wat Pho lastly or may serve as a library for Buddhist texts. All monastic libraeies need not have a Mondon like design . For instance the library at Wat Benchamabophit in Bangkok is patterned after the plan of the Bot. Some Ho Trais are built on stilts in the middle of a pond to prevent vermin such as rats and insects (especially white ants and silverfish) from having access to the manuscripts. One of the most elaborate Ho Trai (actually called the Phra Mondop) is at Wat Pho where we notice the following salient points it is shaped like Greek cross with stunted arms and redented walls four projecting porches with tall doorways lead into the central square area the entrances alternate with windows on all four sides of cube and three series of roof tiers ascend to the Prasat (palace like superstructure) atop.We might compare the porcelain embellishments of the Wat Pho library with another Phra Mondop on a raised platform at Wat Phra Kaew. The latte-6h5 g6fewae although of smaller dimensions and lacking exterior pillars also serves as a library to house the Tripitaka texts . Likewise a similar example was built at Wat Klang Bang KaewNakhon Sri in Nakhon Pathom province.It should be noted that gateways and walls enclosing the Phutthawat may be decorated with analogous Prasat elements which are also enriched with broken porcelain sections . All of these stately features contribute to the elegant environment one of the hallmarks of Bangkok style monastic architecture.
A seven tiered roof is usually applied to
1. A royal pantheon or throne building (five of three tiers may be used instead according to its significance)
2. Mondop for the Buddha is footprint
3. Mondop for the scripture house
Wat Phra Chetuphon Scripture hall (view from the south ) a which is square building surmounted by a decorated spire top with beautiful tile decoration. It was constructed in the reign of King Rama III as a library to hold the Tripitaka or Buddhist canon . And Chedi memorials for four Chakri Kings (right background).