/tags/thailand-temple.rss en-us The vibrant city of Bangkok—a mesh of interlocking canals, brand new skyscrapers, palaces and Buddhist temples—lures tourists from around the world because of its beautiful culture and its sheer exotic attractions. Walking through its chaotic streets, a traveller can pass from a modern restaurant to an ancient “wat” (temple) in a matter of moments. There is perhaps no better example of Bangkok’s exotic magnetism than the heavenly temple of the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho. Measuring a gargantuan 46 m long and 15 m high, the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho may not be the largest or longest Buddha in Thailand anymore (five reclining Buddha statues have surpassed it so far), but many believe that still nothing surpasses Wat Pho for its timeless beauty and the ancient ambience of its tranquil confines. It is a vital complement to the grounds of a formerly modest Bangkok temple, which existed from the time when Bangkok was still a small community. Time and tide transformed the Reclining Buddha's temple’s appearance and made it the centre of a vibrant capital city, and the sacred heart of a nation’s new era. Built in 1772 when King Rama III ordered his son, Prince Bhumindra Bhakti, to begin construction of this holy site, the temple of the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho evokes the ancient legend of the encounter between the Buddha and Rahu, the headless ogre, when the Buddha inflated his body to inspire reverence from the giant ogre. This event is often interpreted as the passing of Buddha into nirvana, and also represents the uncertainty of the material world, one of three fundamental Buddhist concepts. As you take off your shoes and enter the “viharn” (temple assembly hall), you will be awestruck by the glorious reclining Buddha statue. Modelled out of plaster around a brick base, two hundred years of gold leaf application have turned it into a resplendent, glittering icon. Nacre marqueterie adorns the eyes and feet, and the feet display 108 different characteristics of the enlightenment of Buddha. While the interior of the Reclining Buddha's temple glows with a gentle golden aura, the surrounding grounds of Wat Pho are an amazing display of colour and artistry. A particular feature of the temple is the 95 chedis (pronounced “Jay-Dee”), which are the towers in Buddhist temples that store religious relics (known as stupas in India), of various sizes that are scattered across the 20-acre complex. The highlights of these are four large memorial chedis to the first four Bangkok kings, which are arrayed beside thousands of colourful Chinese porcelain decorations. This area is a symbol of “Jambudvipa,” the terrestrial world of Buddhist cosmology. As a quintessential landmark of the country that successfully defied colonization, accepting Western influences without succumbing to them, the religious significance of Wat Pho still remains strong. This is evident during Buddhist holidays, as well as on both Western and traditional New Year’s Days, when thousands of middleclass Thais from across the kingdom travel to Wat Pho to pay their respects: visiting a holy site and cultural icon, where tourists can truly see the living heart and soul of a nation. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:34:18 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/reclining-buddha-of-wat-pho http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/reclining-buddha-of-wat-pho The Chao Phraya River in Bangkok is simply the easiest, cheapest and fastest mode of getting to any of the major Wat (temple) sites in Bangkok. Anyone that's been to Bangkok is instantly struck by one feeling: traffic congestion—be it from people, cars, tuk tuks or motorcycles. So, what better way to travel as the locals do, avoid the traffic and the heat, and see the sights along the river, than by taking a ride on one of the many Chao Phraya River ferries or longtail boats to the popular Wat Arun temple. The Chao Phraya Express Boat operates a regular ferry service as well as a special tourist boat service with commentary. A one-day all-you-can-ride pass is available on the tourist boat, and will give you ample time to visit all the major Wats along the Chao Phraya River including Wat Arun. Otherwise, the fee varies according to the distance travelled and the type of boat. Look out for the flags on the boats, as different colours denote different routes and pier stops available, so make sure that you get on the right boat going in the right direction. When our ferry boat pulled up along the west shore of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand, I could imagine what King Rama II saw when he first arrived in 1809 at this very spot, inspired as he was to build the Buddhist temple Wat Arun: The Temple of Dawn. It is said that from the opposite side of the Chao Phraya River, the Temple of Dawn glistens in the sunlight during the day and stands dark and noble at dawn or dusk. Wat Arun is best seen from the other side of the Chao Phraya River, as up close it seems smaller than it actually is. The peaceful grounds of the monastery and the gardens are quite expansive. There are multiple pavilions, halls and shrines that contain Buddha images and murals. Temple guardians and warrior demon statues protect many of the buildings, but there are other statues for viewing throughout the area, such as Chinese animals, soldiers and mythical gods. Near the entrance of Wat Arun there is a little display of amulets for sale. Each symbol on the amulet is meant for different purposes: success, love, business, etc., and upon buying the amulet, a monk is available to bestow a special blessing upon it and the new owner. The main attraction of Wat Arun: The Temple of Dawn (and what gets photographed the most when visiting Bangkok) is the Phra Prang or central tower surrounded by four smaller prangs. The Phar Prang toewr is 81 meters high and contains three viewing levels or terraces. Only the first level is open to the public, but if you climb up the steep stairs to the “balcony,” you will get a great view of the Chao Praya River and of the city of Bangkok. Built in the Cambodian Khmer style, similar to the temples of Angkor Wat, the towers are built of brick and covered in stucco. The exterior is then decorated with thousands of pieces of Chinese porcelain tiles in multiple colours. Restoration and preservation at Wat Arun temple is ongoing, and you can see the restorers hard at work using traditional bamboo scaffolding. Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:28:14 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/wat-arun http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/wat-arun