| In the Thai language a Wat is a temple. Like most Asian
countries, Thailand’s observance and practice of their national
religion and the population’s reverence to the Buddha is phenomenal.
These attributes and mindset is well –expressed in the thousands of
Wat built in Thailand. If Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok is considered
the holiest and most sacred temple in the whole of Thailand, Wat Pho
is considered the oldest (built in 17th century) and largest wat
with its 8-hectare lot. The temple is also home to more than a
thousand statues of Buddha in different sizes and shapes. Most of
the statues came from the old capitals of Thailand in Ayutthaya and
Sukhotai.
Wat Pho is called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The prone
position depicts the passing on of Buddha from his former life to
that state of Nirvana.
Like most temples in Thailand, Wat Pho is a center for education.
It was here that the beginnings of Thai massage came to be. The
temple that is seen today has been renovated and expanded so that it
barely resembles its original façade and design. The Wat Pho
education center was pivotal in the propagation of traditional Thai
medicine. In 1962 a school for Thai medicine and Thai massage was
formally established right in Wat Pho. The numerous statues of
Buddha depict the different yoga positions.
The Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm
Rajwaramahaviharn) is actually divided into two walled-compounds
split into north and south by Chetupron Road. The north compound is
where the reclining Buddha lies in state. It is also here where the
massage school is situated.
The south wall called the Tukgawee is a Buddhist monastery filled
with monks who are either residents or still visiting. You might
find apprentice monks in the monastery.
The Reclining Buddha is big at 46 meters long and 15 meters high.
It was part of Rama III’s restoration in the early 19th to mid 19th
century. The statue of the reclining Buddha was lovingly and
reverently created as his body is covered in gold-plating. His eyes
and the soles of his feet were covered by mother-of-pearl inlay too.
Note that Buddha’s feet are decorated with 108 favorable scenes in
Indian and Chinese design.
The bot (temple altar) is enclosed by 394 bronzed Buddha images
whereas outside the bot there are 152 slabs of marble that shows the
second half of the Ramakien epic. There are also four chedis in
honor of the first Kings of the Chakri Dynasty. Peppering the large
area are more chedis, statues, chapels, gardens, bell towers and
booths of fortune tellers.
The center is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. daily. Authentic
Thai massage is available and if you happen to see a monk, you can
ask for his “blessing” after giving a small donation. |
