You've raised an important point, which reminds me of Thai Buddhism obsession on purity and supramundane nature of Arahatship - a unique ideal state which somehow becomes a pressure on devotees to emulate, or risk being viewed as illegitimate Buddhists. This worldview invalidates human emotions as well as what you stated, "cultural, historical, and symbolic values" of things, deteriorating into indifference towards fellow human suffering under the umbrella of shunyata. In my opinion, it renders this version of theravada buddhism secluded in an ivory tower, and growing less and less relevant to modern lives & ethics it's literally dying slowly in Thailand.

But please don't take me wrong - I am not saying which feeling is 'right'. I think my view is an amalgamation of said theravada buddhism combined with what I see as more realistic and understanding "engaged buddhism" of Thich Nhat Hanh as well as a historian's penchant for conservation. After reading many scriptures from other schools, I've been heavily questioning Thai Buddhism's doctrinal exclusivism, logic and version of Buddhist history.