ศาลา

From Sanskrit शाला (śālā, “court; hall; house; workshop”); perhaps via Old Khmer śālā, śāla (“court; hall; house; covered shelter; workshop; large building; large room; etc”). Cognate with Lü ᦉᦱᦟᦱ (ṡaalaa), Modern Khmer សាលា (saalaa). Doublet of ศาล (sǎan).

ศาลา • (sǎa-laa) (classifier หลัง)

1. pavilion: open building used for any purpose, traditionally used as a place of gathering or meeting.
2. (historical) hall or pavilion within a palace, employed as a meeting place of government ministers.
3. (by extension) hall; public hall; common hall; hall of assembly, gathering, or meeting; auditorium; forum.
4. (colloquial, Buddhism) hall or pavilion at a temple, especially one used as a funeral venue.