Bangkok, Phra Nakhon District,Sanam Chai road, Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok, Thailand.
There is a wonderful sense of history as you walk around this temple. Most of the buildings here are in good condition except for some within the rear area near the reclining Buddha. The Thai massage school here is one of the most important and is famous for teaching the art of this special massage. Thai massage can be very hard on the body depending on the severity that you want, to give you the required cure. I went to one many years ago because of my back pain, but once was enough for me. Personally I felt worse after it than before it. Walking around this temple you will see many beautiful Chedis, Chapels, Uposatha, and Buddha images. The only thing that spoils it here are the many crowds walking with you or against you.
The Single - based Chedi , four groups of five pagodas are found in front of the gallery. The group consists of a big pagoda in the middle surrounded by four small pagodas on a single base. Each is in a simple square shape with indented structures of twelve notched rim and added notched rim corners decorated with mosaic flowers. Each pagoda contains the Holy Relics of Buddha, and was constructed during the reign of King Rama I.
Along the main chapel yard both inside and outside ( separated by the monastery wall ) stand many rectangular Sala Rai or satellite pavilions. In the beginning there was no veranda it was just an open hall. The present type of building was later reconstructed in the reign of King Rama III by extending a veranda around with two steps on three sides. You will also see scattered about landscaped gardens adorned with figurines and running water in some of them. These make a welcome sit down area on the edge of the water features to cool down from the midday heat.
North Pavilion is the library of the Thai traditional massage inscriptions. There are 32 drawings of massage positions posted on the ceiling of the veranda. At the back, there are inscriptions of Supasit Phraruang ( The first Thai proverbs ), Kritana Sorn Nong ( Thai literature ), and a portrait of The Royal Kathin Procession. South Pavilion holds the collection of inscriptions regarding the angel who protects babies. It describes illnesses in babies and how to cure them. In the back of this pavilion, there are inscriptions of Ramayana, the episode of Pali Sorn Nong and the painting of the Royal Barge Procession.
Phra Uposatha, ( the main chapel or Bot or the Assembly Hall – a hall used for performing the monastic ritual ). For Buddhists, the main chapel is the heart of the monastery. The main chapel was constructed in the reign of King Rama I in Ayudhya style. It was then reconstructed and enlarged during the reign of King Rama III. All sheltered windows and doors are made of hard wood with crown–like spires and colour-glazed tiles. Mother of pearl inlays on the outer side of the entrance door panels depict episodes from the Ramakien, while on the inner side are painted specimens of ecclesiastical fans of rank which are presented to the monk sovereigns.
The image of Lord Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree or Pang Marnvichai is in the East Vihara. Standing in this East Vihara is a 10 metres high bronze Buddha image, Phra Buddha Lokanart Sartsadajarn which was brought from Wat Phra Sri Sanpej in Ayudhya. The inscription of Wat Pho establishment is also kept here. In the South Vihara there is an image of Lord Buddha Pring the First Dermon to the Five Disciples. The inner side cloister contains 150 Buddha images with another 244 images being located on the outer side. These images were brought from the northern provinces during the reign of King Rama I.
The rear of the grounds and behind the Vihara of the Reclining Buddha you will find the Sala Karn Parien building and the Crocodile Pond, the Temple appears to be dilapidated and in need of tender loving care. I have no doubt this is the intention. However it is amazing to see a before and after which you can see here. This building is so badly in need of painting it allows you to see what state the Temples can fall into without the attention that is lavished on them around Thailand.
Bangkok, Phra Nakhon District,Sanam Chai road, Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok, Thailand.
There is a wonderful sense of history as you walk around this temple. Most of the buildings here are in good condition except for some within the rear area near the reclining Buddha. The Thai massage school here is one of the most important and is famous for teaching the art of this special massage. Thai massage can be very hard on the body depending on the severity that you want, to give you the required cure. I went to one many years ago because of my back pain, but once was enough for me. Personally I felt worse after it than before it. Walking around this temple you will see many beautiful Chedis, Chapels, Uposatha, and Buddha images. The only thing that spoils it here are the many crowds walking with you or against you.
The Single - based Chedi , four groups of five pagodas are found in front of the gallery. The group consists of a big pagoda in the middle surrounded by four small pagodas on a single base. Each is in a simple square shape with indented structures of twelve notched rim and added notched rim corners decorated with mosaic flowers. Each pagoda contains the Holy Relics of Buddha, and was constructed during the reign of King Rama I.
Along the main chapel yard both inside and outside ( separated by the monastery wall ) stand many rectangular Sala Rai or satellite pavilions. In the beginning there was no veranda it was just an open hall. The present type of building was later reconstructed in the reign of King Rama III by extending a veranda around with two steps on three sides. You will also see scattered about landscaped gardens adorned with figurines and running water in some of them. These make a welcome sit down area on the edge of the water features to cool down from the midday heat.
North Pavilion is the library of the Thai traditional massage inscriptions. There are 32 drawings of massage positions posted on the ceiling of the veranda. At the back, there are inscriptions of Supasit Phraruang ( The first Thai proverbs ), Kritana Sorn Nong ( Thai literature ), and a portrait of The Royal Kathin Procession. South Pavilion holds the collection of inscriptions regarding the angel who protects babies. It describes illnesses in babies and how to cure them. In the back of this pavilion, there are inscriptions of Ramayana, the episode of Pali Sorn Nong and the painting of the Royal Barge Procession.
Phra Uposatha, ( the main chapel or Bot or the Assembly Hall – a hall used for performing the monastic ritual ). For Buddhists, the main chapel is the heart of the monastery. The main chapel was constructed in the reign of King Rama I in Ayudhya style. It was then reconstructed and enlarged during the reign of King Rama III. All sheltered windows and doors are made of hard wood with crown–like spires and colour-glazed tiles. Mother of pearl inlays on the outer side of the entrance door panels depict episodes from the Ramakien, while on the inner side are painted specimens of ecclesiastical fans of rank which are presented to the monk sovereigns.
The image of Lord Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree or Pang Marnvichai is in the East Vihara. Standing in this East Vihara is a 10 metres high bronze Buddha image, Phra Buddha Lokanart Sartsadajarn which was brought from Wat Phra Sri Sanpej in Ayudhya. The inscription of Wat Pho establishment is also kept here. In the South Vihara there is an image of Lord Buddha Pring the First Dermon to the Five Disciples. The inner side cloister contains 150 Buddha images with another 244 images being located on the outer side. These images were brought from the northern provinces during the reign of King Rama I.
The rear of the grounds and behind the Vihara of the Reclining Buddha you will find the Sala Karn Parien building and the Crocodile Pond, the Temple appears to be dilapidated and in need of tender loving care. I have no doubt this is the intention. However it is amazing to see a before and after which you can see here. This building is so badly in need of painting it allows you to see what state the Temples can fall into without the attention that is lavished on them around Thailand.