Ban Grong Greng

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ban Grong Greng
other_name = ( _en. Village of the Dreaded Gong)
native_name = บ้านโกรงเกรง
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settlement_type = Village
motto =


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image_caption = Chedi at Wat Grung See Jayrin in Ban Grong Greng


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subdivision_type = Tambon
subdivision_name = Nakhon Pa Mak
subdivision_type2 = Amphoe
subdivision_name2 = Bang Krathum
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Phitsanulok
subdivision_type4 = Country
subdivision_name4 = Thailand
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area_total_km2 = 20.9
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area_blank1_title = Agricultural use
area_blank1_km2 = 14.1
population_as_of = 2005
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population_total = 1,881
population_density_km2 = 90
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timezone = Thailand
utc_offset = +7
latd=16 |latm=36 |lats=30 |latNS=N
longd=100 |longm=22 |longs=30 |longEW=E
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postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 65110
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blank_name = Chief watercourse
blank_info = Canal to Ban Sam Ruen
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Ban Grong Greng ( _th. บ้านโกรงเกรง) is a rural village in the northwest portion of the Nakhon Pa Mak subdistrict of Bang Krathum District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand.

Etymology

The first element ban (Thai: บ้าน) means village. [http://www.thai2english.com/dictionary/ Thai/English Dictionary] ] The second element grong (Thai: โกรง) is an onomatopoeia for the sound of a gong, analogous to the word gong in English. The third element greng (Thai: เกรง) means dread. [http://www.thai2english.com/dictionary/ Thai/English Dictionary] ] Loosely translated, Ban Grong Greng means "village of the dreaded gong." This is because a gong is beaten during funeral processions at the village's temple in accordance with the local custom. The name Grong Greng is an example of an alliteration. It is also an example of a euphemism.

Geography

Ban Grong Greng is situated near the center of Nakhon Pa Mak on a canal which meets the Wang Thong River at Ban Sam Ruen. This canal comes to a fork at Ban Grong Greng where another canal leads to Ban Dongphayom and beyond.Google Earth] . Ban Grong Greng lies within the Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. Ban Grong Greng has the greatest population out of the 8 villages in Nakhon Pa Mak, and it encompasses the most land area as well.

Wat Grung See Jayrin

Wat Grung See Jayrin (Thai: วัดกรุงศรีเจริญ), which means temple of the city of renowned progress, is more commonly referred to simply as Wat Grong Greng (Thai: วัดโกรงเกรง). [http://www.webwat.net/template/index.php?key_no=2333 Wat Grong Greng on WebWat.net] (Thai)] This Theravada Buddhist temple is where villagers of Ban Grong Greng and surrounding villages hold their funeral ceremonies. Funerals at Wat Grong Greng involve a procession around the temple, chanting and meditation, and burning of the deceased's body. Prior to a funeral at Grong Greng, families typically hold a wake in the deceased's home where family, friends and neighbors can pay their respects to the deceased. Items brought to the wake, such as flower arrangements, photographs of the deceased, and mementos from the deceased's life are carried in the funeral procession. Black clothing is customarily worn by those in mourning, if available. Religious activities and ceremonies other than funerals are typically held at nearby Wat Sam Ruen in Ban Sam Ruen.

Architecture

The style of the chedi at Wat Grung See Jayrin is influenced by earlier Thai pagodas, such as those found in the ruins of Ayutthaya. This style was imported from Sri Lanka during the rule of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great along with Theravada Buddhism. Later, King Ramathibodi I went on to make Theravada Buddhism the official religion of the kingdom of Ayutthaya. [http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/thailand/HISTORY.html Thailand - History] ] The ceremonial funeral chants at Wat Grong Greng are likewise in Pali, the language of prayer of the Ceylonese Buddhist monastic community, [http://www.dharmaweb.org/index.php/From_Ceylonese_to_Sri_Lankan_Buddhism_by_Bhikkhu_Prayudh_Payutto From Ceylonese to Sri Lankan Buddhism by Bhikkhu Prayudh Payutto] ] members of which Ramkhamhaeng imported from Sri Lanka to teach Theravada Buddhism to his subjects in Thailand. [http://www.magma.ca/~thaiott/thaihis2.htm History Of Thailand] ] Strikingly similar architecture can be found in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. [http://www.monkeytree.org/silkroad/pagoda/srilanka.html Anuradhapura and its stupas] ]

Wat Grung See Jayrin School

Wat Grung See Jayrin School, at Wat Grung See Jayrin, is one of Nakhon Pa Mak's four elementary schools.

Literary References

A Wat Grong Greng is mentioned in a work entitled เรื่องจริงอิงนิทาน เล่ม 1 (which loosely translates to first book of traditionally passed down stories) by Rasilingdam (Thai: ฤาษีลิงดำ). [http://www.putthapoom.com/jing_nitan.html เรื่องจริงอิงนิทาน เล่ม 1 at Putthapoom.com] (Thai)]

References