 Thai
Buddhist > Temples > Wat
Suthat
Wat Suthat is on Bamrung
Muang Road in Bangkok and is famous for the excellent murals created
in the reign of King Rama III. The Wihara (preaching hall) should be
seen for its collection of gilded Buddha images. A huge door with intricate
carving, which is the masterpiece of King Rama II, once belonged to
this temple and is now kept in the National Museum. In front of the
temple is the Giant Swing or Sao Ching Cha, where a Brahmanic ceremony
had taken place until the early 20th century. Many nearby shops stock
a very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies.
Wat
Suthat was constructed in 1807 after the 27th anniversary of the founding
of Bangkok by King Rama I. The main wihan is surrounded by a cirulambutory
area of three levels. On the uppermost level are mounted small chapels
for each of its fours corners. Phra Sisakayamuni, the main Buddha
image, is larger and older than any other bronze cast Buddha image
in Thailand. The base of the image is 6.25 metres wide and has a height
of 8 metres.
The
cloisters surrounding the wihan contain dozens of Buddha images. The
compound is very large and sometimes very quiet. The ordination Hall
(or ubosot) is said to be one of the most beautiful in Thailand and
very large in size. The 72 metre high structure is supported by 68
pillars. Phra Putatrilokachet is a Buddha image cast in bronze. It
is 5.20 metres in width and 8.45 metres in height. Surrounding the
ubosot can be found many Chinese statues which were originally used
as ballast for ships.
Location:
Bangkok,
Central Thailand.
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