I have arrived at Chiang Mai and I feel like I’m forcing this particular writing because it’s been a while since I’ve posted something and I’m feeling a sense of obligation to write something. Some of this is cut and paste from other places to give you some of the history with some editing. As of now my interest in writing has gone into areas of spirituality and overcoming the suffering inherent in the human existence. I have something I’ve written that I’m sitting on at the moment.
Thailand embraces the Buddhist religion and I’m learning so much. I’m learning how much I do not know about Buddhism. I appreciate the Buddha dharma and I’m learning how many different interpretations there are. Just like Christianity and the many sects, there is the same with Buddhism. I was a bit confused when I turned on the TV one night and found a channel devoted to cock fighting. If one of the Buddhist teachings is non-violence, how is it possible that there is a television channel devoted to this? I scratch my head. I’m definitely missing something.
One of Thailand’s biggest tourist attraction is a large complex in the city centre, made up of temples, buildings, halls, courtyards and gardens – the result of more than 200 years of refinement. Located near the Chao Phraya river the palace grounds occupy a large rectangular area protected by a high, white wall. Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam had in 1768 been sacked by a Burmese army and the capital was moved, first to Thonburi and then Bangkok. In 1782 King Rama I rammed the first poles into the river bank marking the shift of capital to Bangkok and the start of the new royal palace.
The Grand Palace was not built in a day, but after the first 100 years the most important buildings had been constructed. As you enter the tourist gate on the north end of the palace, you will face a long, wide lane. You are now in the Outer Court. To your left, in the north-east corner of the complex you will notice across a huge lawn another wall around Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
I went on a Sunday and the place was so busy and crowded with many people. It is one of the places in Thailand where people come to worship Buddha. There is so much gold and precious stones in the place… someone spent a lot of money on that shrine to Buddha and people come from all over the world to see the place. If you have any issues with personal space, then you better be aware of how crowded it can get. If you stay more than three hours you will grow tired and would be better off returning at another time. In my view there is simply too much glitz and glitter. This is the Thai way and they really know how to impress. I certainly was.
Temple of Reclining Buddha
The Wat Pho or “Temple of the Reclining Buddha” is one of Bangkok’s most attractive temples. It is a much visited temple complex due to its location immediately South of the Grand Palace and the huge Reclining Buddha image it houses.
The Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok, it houses more than 1,000 Buddha images which is more than any other Wat in Thailand. Most of the images were brought over from abandoned temples in places as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai by order of King Rama I.
After the foundation of Bangkok in the Ko Rattanakosin area in 1782 and the construction of the Grand Palace, King Rama I ordered the construction of the Wat Pho. The temple was built on the site of an older, Ayutthaya era temple named Wat Photharam right next to the Grand Palace.
During the reign of King Rama III the temple complex was renovated and enlarged which took over 16 years to complete.
To be honest… I’m a bit temple’d out. I’ve been visiting so many temples and places of worship in my travels, from India to Nepal and now in Thailand. And I felt that I needed to see this temple because of its grandeur and the story. I continue to be most interested in how the cultures deal with the end of human life. How we get into a peaceful relationship (or not) with our mortality and the ceremonies and rituals that we embrace based on religious traditions. So, my tendencies are to continue explore those areas. I am still most enthralled with the Hindu tradition around death. I’m not sure how the Buddhist’s deal with death rituals. Something I need to explore a bit more while I’m here in Thailand.
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