S & E Asia 145 - N Thailand 03: Bangkok: Wat Pho: Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Oct 26, 2022 10:53:59 #
WAT PHO is a Buddhist temple complex in the central Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok, situated on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its name is a contraction of its older name, Wat Photaram. (Wat = Thai Buddhist monastery or temple).
The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classified as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site. It became his main temple and is the place where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m (150 ft) long reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest center for public education in Thailand, and the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions have been recognized by UNESCO in its "Memory of the World" program. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.
Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok covering an area of 80,000 m² (95,000 yd²) and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha statues. The Wat Pho complex consists of two walled compounds bisected by Chetuphon Road. The larger northern walled compound is open to visitors and contains the finest buildings dedicated to the Buddha, including the temple housing the reclining Buddha. The southern compound contains the residential quarters of the monks and a school. The perimeter wall of the main temple complex has sixteen gates, two of which serve as entrances for the public.
The temple grounds contain four great chedis (chedi = Buddhist stupa, this expression is mainly used in Thailand), 91 small chedis, two belfries, a bot (central shrine), a number of viharas (halls) and various buildings such as pavilions, as well as gardens and a small temple museum. Architecturally the chedis and buildings in the complex are different in style and sizes. A number of large Chinese statues, some of which depict Europeans, are also found in the complex guarding the gates of the perimeter walls as well as other gates in the compound. These stone statues were originally imported as ballast on ships trading with China.
Wat Pho was also intended to serve as a place of education for the general public. To this end a pictorial encyclopedia was engraved on granite slabs covering eight subject areas: history, medicine, health, custom, literature, proverbs, lexicography, and the Buddhist religion. These plaques, inscribed with texts and illustrations on medicine, Thai traditional massage, and other subjects, are placed around the temple. Dotted around the complex are 24 small rock gardens illustrating rock formations of Thailand, and one, called the "Contorting Hermit Hill", contains some statues showing methods of massage and yoga positions.
Link to the full Wikipedia article on Wat Pho: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho
Notes
TRIP INFO: Set # 1 provides a brief introduction to THIS SERIES on SOUTH & EAST ASIA. See it at
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-724330-1.html
THAILAND COUNTRY INFO in set # 143: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-755664-1.html
BANGKOK CITY INFO in set # 144: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-755767-1.html
EARLIER POSTS of this series: Access my topic list at UHH, the new posts are listed in reverse chronological order:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-topic-list?usernum=45105
Thanks for visiting, for improved clarity please view the downloads. I look forward to your comments and questions.
.
The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classified as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site. It became his main temple and is the place where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m (150 ft) long reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest center for public education in Thailand, and the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions have been recognized by UNESCO in its "Memory of the World" program. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.
Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok covering an area of 80,000 m² (95,000 yd²) and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha statues. The Wat Pho complex consists of two walled compounds bisected by Chetuphon Road. The larger northern walled compound is open to visitors and contains the finest buildings dedicated to the Buddha, including the temple housing the reclining Buddha. The southern compound contains the residential quarters of the monks and a school. The perimeter wall of the main temple complex has sixteen gates, two of which serve as entrances for the public.
The temple grounds contain four great chedis (chedi = Buddhist stupa, this expression is mainly used in Thailand), 91 small chedis, two belfries, a bot (central shrine), a number of viharas (halls) and various buildings such as pavilions, as well as gardens and a small temple museum. Architecturally the chedis and buildings in the complex are different in style and sizes. A number of large Chinese statues, some of which depict Europeans, are also found in the complex guarding the gates of the perimeter walls as well as other gates in the compound. These stone statues were originally imported as ballast on ships trading with China.
Wat Pho was also intended to serve as a place of education for the general public. To this end a pictorial encyclopedia was engraved on granite slabs covering eight subject areas: history, medicine, health, custom, literature, proverbs, lexicography, and the Buddhist religion. These plaques, inscribed with texts and illustrations on medicine, Thai traditional massage, and other subjects, are placed around the temple. Dotted around the complex are 24 small rock gardens illustrating rock formations of Thailand, and one, called the "Contorting Hermit Hill", contains some statues showing methods of massage and yoga positions.
Link to the full Wikipedia article on Wat Pho: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho
Notes
TRIP INFO: Set # 1 provides a brief introduction to THIS SERIES on SOUTH & EAST ASIA. See it at
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-724330-1.html
THAILAND COUNTRY INFO in set # 143: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-755664-1.html
BANGKOK CITY INFO in set # 144: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-755767-1.html
EARLIER POSTS of this series: Access my topic list at UHH, the new posts are listed in reverse chronological order:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-topic-list?usernum=45105
Thanks for visiting, for improved clarity please view the downloads. I look forward to your comments and questions.
.
1 - Part of the main temple complex
(Download)
2 - Entrance gate with statues of Chinese warriors
(Download)
3 - Repetitive entrance doors to inner courts, flanked by stone lions
(Download)
4 - A trio of stupas
(Download)
5 - Intricate multi-hued gable decorations
(Download)
6 - Multiple layers of roof lines, in the traditional colors of orange, red and green with white edging, in the lower right an unusual blue hued section
(Download)
7 - More vibrant, multi-colored roof tiles
(Download)
8 - Flamboyant roof decorations
(Download)
9 - Side view of a heavily decorated temple
(Download)
10 - Detail of decorative elements of the above temple facade
(Download)
Oct 26, 2022 10:54:53 #
Oct 26, 2022 10:55:17 #
Oct 26, 2022 10:59:44 #
Oct 26, 2022 11:03:49 #
Oct 26, 2022 11:38:26 #
angler wrote:
Excellent set Joe.
Thank you Jim, I am happy to hear that you enjoyed this set.
Oct 26, 2022 11:39:02 #
Oct 26, 2022 11:39:54 #
NMGal wrote:
Talk about elaborate and colorful!
Thanks Barbara, yes, definitely very colorful and in many parts also very elaborate.
Oct 27, 2022 00:12:06 #
Oct 27, 2022 00:14:10 #
Oct 27, 2022 05:20:16 #
Oct 27, 2022 06:25:17 #
Oct 27, 2022 07:23:04 #
Oct 27, 2022 09:11:01 #
weberwest wrote:
11 - Trip map of the Thailand segment of our tour
What detailed design Joe! So beautiful and well captured
Oct 27, 2022 09:11:17 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.