Text by the MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team, compiled and reported
Wat Pho (also known as Wat Chetuphon), also called the Temple of the Bodhi Tree, is the oldest temple in Bangkok and the largest temple in all of Thailand. This ancient temple, dating back to the Ayutthaya period, was much favored by the monarchs of the Chakri Dynasty. From Rama I to Rama IV, it was renovated multiple times, with three towers and the Reclining Buddha Hall added, continuing on to this day.
The five-meter-long soles of the Reclining Buddha are adorned with 108 auspicious patterns made from mother-of-pearl. Since the soles are the lowest part of the body and also the most spiritually challenging to transcend, they serve to remind people to strive in their spiritual practice. (Image provided by the Moleskine Editorial Department)
Upon entering the temple, the first thing you see is the Reclining Buddha Hall. The door and window arches are decorated with floral vases and bouquets. Inside is enshrined a giant reclining Buddha. After removing your shoes, you can see the 46-meter-long, 15-meter-high Reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf, with its 5-meter-long feet inlaid with 108 auspicious patterns made from mother-of-pearl. Every visitor offers gold leaf into the bronze bowl in front of the Buddha, and the crisp sounds echo throughout the temple hall. The four walls of the hall are covered in murals, which are restored once every 50 years by volunteer artists invited into the temple.
The stupas are exquisitely and magnificently decorated with colorful glass pieces. (Image provided by the Moleskine Editorial Department)
There are 99 stupas in Wat Pho, among which the largest and most prominent are the Four Kings Stupas located near the temple. These stupas are adorned with broken porcelain pieces, showcasing a distinctive Chinese aesthetic. Rama I can be considered a great contributor to the preservation of Buddha statues. He retrieved over 1,200 statues from the ruins of Ayutthaya, 689 of which are now housed in Wat Pho. Most of them are placed along the two-tiered corridors outside the main ordination hall or atop the stupas.
Thai massage techniques vary across regions, but the style taught at Wat Pho is generally regarded as more orthodox. In addition to offering courses, visitors can also pay to experience a massage. (Image provided by the Moleskine Editorial Department)
Rama III was a major proponent of education. He built a large school that included most of the subjects related to medicine, traditional Thai pharmacy, and science. It was located between the main chapel and the massage school. The walls were inscribed with medical formulas and explanations, and many illustrations depicted the locations of acupoints. To this day, it remains a central hub for the study of Thai herbs and massage. The temple grounds also house a traditional Thai medicine school and a massage school, where visitors can enjoy an authentic massage experience.
【Info】
Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha Temple)
Address: 2 Sanamchai Road, Phranakhon District, Bangkok
Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:00
Admission: 100 Thai Baht
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