Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand
Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangalaram, commonly known as Wat Pho covers an area of over 20 acres, King Rama I(1782-1809 A.D.) was rebuilt the old Wat Potaram and was completed in 1793 A.D. and changed the name to Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmongalarawat in 1801 A.D. Later on King Rama III launched a major restoration in 1819 A.D.
The Ordination hall or The Bot was constructed by King Rama I(1782-1809 A.D.) and was considerably enlarged by King Rama III(1824-1851 A.D.) with a three-tiered roof that extends down to meet the colonnade round the bot. The Principal Buddha Image. It was found at wat Sala Si Na or wat Khuhasawan in Thonburi and was moved to be the principal image by order of King rama I(1782-1809 A.D.) and given name of Phra Puttha Devapatimakorn, placed on the top tier. The second tier holds the two chief disciples, Phra Mokalana on the right and Phra Saributr on the left of the image. Alter-table Combination Set. It was the first examples of this art and sets of alter tables in subsequent times. It consists of an eleven-piece set and places in front of the principal image. Mural Painting depict scenes of heavens, various themes ranging from the forty-one disciples recommended by Buddha for their particular excellence, jataka stories and folklore. Mother-of-pearl inlaid of the eight door panels are the best examples of the art in the Bangkok period. The designs are from Ramakien. The gable-ends. The two gables are completely filled with floral motifs decorated with colored glass, indicating Chinese influence on Thai artists.
Balustrate Bas-Reliefs round the bot contains 154 marble slabs, depicting scenes from the Ramakien.
The 8 Marker Stones are of the double slab type, housed in open structure with chedi-top.
Boundary Walls have on the outside marble slabs with bas-reliefs showing landscape scenes or animal figures.
Corner Prangs stands at each corner of the terrace round the bot by King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.). The prangs decorated in grey marble with four niches at the base, each holding a celestial and over the niches is a row of demon bearers encircling the prang body.
The Galleries enclosed the bot on all four sides by double-rowed. The inside walls of the bot, the inner and outer galleries are lined with 394 bronze Buddha images: 244 images in the outer and 150 images in the inner gallery. These images were brought down from the north by King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.).
Vihans : Compass Point Vihans that connect the inner and outer galleries on the four sides and also giving access into the enclosed terrace of the bot. The north and south vihans have gable-ends decorated with Vishnu holding Naga but the east and west vihans show Rama on Hanuman. There are Buddha images placed in these vihans. The Phra Buddha Lokanat is standing in the rear port which is a bronze image 10 meters high. It was brought to Bangkok by King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.). The Four Corner Vihans are located at the outside the gallery. The Two Vihan Noi found in front of the sala karnparien are kept some Buddha images. Vihan of the Reclining Buddha was built in the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.). The roof is three-tiered and gable-ends have the floral motifs designs. The Reclining Buddha is 46 meters long ans 15 meters high, is a lacquered and gilded image of brick and stucco structure. On the soles of the feet is the most interesting feature is the mother-of-pearl inlaid design showing the 108 auspicious signs around the Chakra or a Disc at the center.
The Great Stupas. Four great stupas, each 41 meters high were constructed on three separate occasions. The one with green tile mosaic named Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sanphetdayan built in the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) to cover the ruined Standing Buddha image of Phra Sri Sanphet that had been brought down from the Royal Palace of Ayutthaya. The white tile mosaic named Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhammakaroknitarn dedicated to King Rama II (1809-1824 A.D.), was built by King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.). The yellow tile mosaic named Phra Maha Chedi Muni Batborikarn was built by King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.). The last one, in dark blue tile mosaic named Phra Maha Chedi Song Srisuriyothai was built by King Rama IV (1851-1868 A.D.).
Phra Chedi Rai. These are 71 small stupas surrounding the cloisters, were built by King Rama III (1851-1868 A.D.) for keeping ashes of the royal family.
Stupa-in-Group were built by King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) in order to contains the Buddha relics and pay homage to the Buddha. Single based stupa, four groups of five stupa are found in front of the cloister. The group consists of larger at the center surrounded by four small stupas on the same base, totally 20 stupas. Each was in a simple square-shape with twelve indented corners.
Phra Mondop contains a large gilded carved-wood scripture cabinets used as the scripture hall of the temple. It was built by King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.).
Rockeries and stone figures or Khao Mor. They are 26 rockeries were set up from the rock garden in the Grand Palace which was built in the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.). Two rockeries are of special interest, the first in front of the great stupa has a Siva lingam and the second has a Rishi figures in the postures of self-massage. These rishi figures were set up by King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) and King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.) to illustrate the text in the small pavilions. Wat Pho abounds in stone figures from China in the reign of King Rama III (17824-1851 A.D.) and can be grouped as: people figures of European, Chinese mandarins, Chinese warriors; animals: horse, goats, dogs, elephants, lions, etc.; objects: Chinese stupas, gateways lamp post, lily bowls.
Inscribed Stone Slabs. King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.) intended Wat Pho to be a center of learning for the general public and had texts on various knowledge inscribed on stone slabs for public study. These stone slabs may be group under eight headings: History of Wat Pho, Buddhism, Medical Prescriptions, Health, Wise Saying, Literature, Register of Tributary States of the Kingdom and Public Customs. The two headings of particular interest are the Medical Prescriptions and Health (Rishi Exercise). Today, Wat Pho is the center of traditional Thai medicine and massage technique.
Belfry. There are two belfries constructed by King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) located in front of sala karnparien while the one located in front of the Vihan of the Reclining Buddha constructed by King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.).
Small Pavilions. The pillars and walls are affixed with stone slabs containing inscriptions. Of particular interest are those found in the small pavilions in front of the great stupas, they contain description of various ailments and their respective causes with illustrations.
Missakawan Park is a big park with decorative plants and a Chinese style pavilion. Inside this park is one important Sri Maha Bodi Tree which was brought from Ceylon by King Rama IV (1851-1868 A.D.). The mural painting in the pavilion depicts scenes from Samkok, a famous Chinese literature. Crocodile Pond is a cement pond with a hill in the middle. There is a big Chinese style building named “Tuek Farang” which was built by King Rama III (1824-1851 A.D.). The pond is now applied to be a shady decorative plant garden with many kinds of trees.
Wasukri Residence is the library of the 7th Holiness Prince Patriarch of the Rattanakosin period, Krom Phra Paramanujit Jiniros. The Prince Supreme Patriarch was one of the famous Thai poets and was honored by UNESCO as the Great Poet Laureate.
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