Reclining Buddha

There are numerous temples in Thailand. About forty thousand seven hundred and seventeen Buddhist temples and I was able to visit just a few. I'm just going to show you two for now.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Lokayasutharam)

Wat Lokaya Sutha is located directly west of the Royal Palace. It is part of a park that
includes three restored ruins including Wat Worachet and the original Wat Worapho. It
is easiest to access this site via the western side of Khlong Tho. There is a small side
alley leading to it as well as a newly constructed road. Wat Lokaya Sutha can also be
accessed from a third road in its southwestern corner, which also serves as a route to
Chedi Suriyothai.

Wat Lokaya Sutha is a massive temple ruin. It is aligned toward an east/west axis. There
are two small chedi outside of its compound, and a portion of the spire of a third chedi is
still in situ. These are all in a Late Ayutthaya period style. The monastery itself has been
heavily restored, including floor tiles and brick floors throughout. Most of the temple
exists only at the basic foundation level. This includes some stubs of pillars and basic
walls. At the eastern entrance are the remnants of three vihans. Behind these sermon
halls is a large 30 meters high, Late Ayutthaya period, Khmer-style prang (Kasetsiri &
Wright 92). This prang-tower has a hollow entrance on its eastern side. The remains of
an ubsot can be seen behind the prang. Only the basic foundation layer has survived, but
there are many sema stones and the detritus of Buddha images. A large bell tower stands
on the southwestern corner of this ubosot.

The highlight of this temple is its enormous reclining Buddha image (37 meters long and 8
meter high), which is located behind the ubosot. It was once encased by a viharn, but
that has also collapsed to the basic foundation level. The reclining Buddha is 42 meters in
length and 8 meters high, and its name is Phra Buddha Sai Yat. The reclining Buddha
image is aligned to a north/south axis, and it is facing west. All the Buddha’s toes are of
equal lengths. The arm supporting the head is vertical, instead of being folded as in the
Early Ayutthaya and U-Thong periods. This vertical arm is a characteristic of reclining
images made in the Middle Ayutthaya period - after the 16th century (Amatyakul 47).
The reclining Buddha image is usually wrapped in brightly colored orange cloth. A small
altar exists beside it where visitors can make offerings. Many people have covered
portions of the image in gold leaf.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn)

The chapel and the reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas, Thai: พระพุทธไสยาสน์) were built by Rama III in 1832. The image of the reclining Buddha represents the entry of Buddha into Nirvana and the end of all reincarnations. The posture of the image is referred to as sihasaiyas, the posture of a sleeping or reclining lion. The figure is 15 m high and 46 m long, and it is one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. The right arm of the Buddha supports the head with tight curls, which rests on two box-pillows richly encrusted with glass mosaics. The figure has a brick core, which was modelled and shaped with plaster, then gilded.

The soles of the feet of the Buddha are 3 m high and 4.5 m long, and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. They are each divided into 108 arranged panels, displaying the auspicious symbols by which Buddha can be identified, such as flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers, and altar accessories. At the center of each foot is a circle representing a chakra or energy point. There are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor representing the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. Visitors may drop coins in these bowls as it is believed to bring good fortune, and it also helps the monks to maintain the wat.

Although the reclining Buddha is not a pilgrimage centre, it remains an object of popular piety. An annual celebration for the reclining Buddha is held around the time of the Siamese Songkran or New Year in April, which also helps raise funds for the upkeep of Wat Pho.

What an amazing place. So rich in history and culture. I wish I can still go back and visit other temples and ruins soon. And there is so much more to visit there aside from these temples. See you soon Thailand! :)

Links: http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_LokayaSutha.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho