Officially called Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan.
I like Wat Pho.
There is a lot going on here, including a large reclining Buddha and the birthplace of Thai Massage, so for now, the basics.
Wat Pho was originally built as a monastery in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period. King Rama I established Bangkok as the capital after the fall of the Ayutthaya and restored the temple in 1788.
During King Rama III reign, the temple was expanded considerably and became the first public university in Bangkok offering courses in religion, science and literature. He also accumulated the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including the 46 meter long reclining Buddha.
Along with being a center for education, the temple also became the national headquarters for traditional Thai medicine and massage with the school being established within the complex, and with so much history, it is now recognized by UNESCO.
Within the temple grounds, there are several chedi’s, each dedicated to a King.
Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sampheldayarn has green tiles and is for King Rama I. Rama I was the first king of the Chakri dynasty. He built the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and had Wat Pho reconstructed. He ruled from 1782 – 1809.
Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhamakaroke Nitarn has mostly white tiles and is the Buddhist monument of King Rama II. He ruled from 1809-1824 and led the people through the golden era of art and culture since there was no war during his reign. He is also known for sending a group of Thai monks to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to establish Buddhism there.
His ashes are enshrined at Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn) which he oversaw the great restoration of.
Phra Maha Chedi Munibal Borikan is a monument to King Rama III. It has Yellow and Green mosaic tiles and that is how I know which is which. Rama III was the one who expanded Wat Pho considerably and opened it up as the first University in Bangkok. He also opened trade routes between China, Siam and Great Brittan. King III ruled from 1824 until 1851.
Phra Maha Chedi Song Sri Suriyothai is King Rama IV’s cheddi. It has blue tiles. King IV ruled from 1851 to 1868, but before he was king, he was a Buddhist monk for 27 years. He had great achievements as a diplomat, but also as a scholar in religion. He spoke English and encouraged English be taught to children so they could understand western teachings and cultures. He also accurately predicted the solar eclipse of August 1868 two years before it happened.
Along with the largest collection of images in the country, which are just everywhere, to be honest, what most people come here to see is the Reclining Buddha Phra Buddhasaiyas.
Built by King Rama III the image represents the entry of Buddha into Nirvana and the end of all reincarnations. The image is 15 meters high and 46 meters long.
It is made of a brick core, modelled and shaped with plaster and gilded.
The right arm supports the head and rests on two box pillows encrusted with glass mosaics.
The soles of the feet of the Buddha are 3 m high and 4.5 m long, and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. There are 108 panels on the feet displaying the symbols by which Buddha can be identified, such as flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers, and altar accessories. At the center of each foot is a circle representing a chakra or ‘energy point’.
As you exit along the backside of the statue, there are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor representing the 108 characters of Buddha. You can buy coins, or bring your own and drop one in each of the bowls for good luck.
It was big. Very big.
go to the photo page for more pictures of the entire temple. It took over half the day to just see this one place, and it was packed with tourists.
It was also hot. And just… a lot. Allow time if you come here.
