Abode of the Reclining Buddha

Jul 08, 2012 - Age Correspondent

Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok and home to more Buddha images than any other temple in the city. Wat Pho also shelters the largest Buddha in Thailand.

Built as a restoration of an earlier temple on the same site, Wat Phodharam, work on this temple began in 1788. The Wat Pho complex, which is the birthplace of the traditional Thai massage, consists of two walled compounds. The northern walled compound is where the reclining Buddha and massage school are to be found. The southern walled compound, Tukgawee, is a working Buddhist monastery with monks in residence and a school.
Created as part of Rama III’s restoration (1824-51), the Reclining Buddha is 46 metres long and 15 metres high. His body is covered in gold plating and he is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay on his eyes and the soles of his feet. The soles of the Buddha’s feet are also intricately decorated with 108 auspicious scenes in Chinese and Indian styles.

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