Wat Benchamabophit

Wat Benchamabophit

Highlights

A collection of Buddhist statues from various periods in Thai history. The temple’s chapel windows are designed in the architectural style of Western European churches, featuring stained glass arranged into Thai floral patterns—making it the most Western-influenced temple in Thai Buddhist architecture.

Introduction

Wat Benchamabophit is located on Sri Ayutaya Road in northern Bangkok, also known as the “Marble Temple,” and was built during the reign of King Rama V. The temple complex includes a chapel, scripture library, corridors, pavilions, and a Buddhist college. The main courtyard buildings are entirely constructed from Italian-imported marble. Flanked by stone lions, the main hall houses a approximately 3-meter-tall golden statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni. The principal Buddha image in the main hall is a replica of the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat from Phitsanulok. Behind the main hall lies a large marble-paved courtyard displaying 51 Buddhist statues from various periods and styles throughout Thai history, reflecting a blend of Buddhist artistic traditions from China, India, and other regions, and representing the pinnacle of 19th-century Thai Buddhist art. Additionally, there are also Buddhist statues from China and Japan.

Bangkok, Thailand