Bangkok, Thailand
June 20, 2019

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho Buddhist Temple, officially named Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram, is one of the six (6) Buddhist temples in Thailand classified as a first class Royal temple.

However, what makes this temple stand out aside from being the oldest and largest temple complex, which houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, is the massive 46-meter long gold plated Reclining Buddha, which depicts ‘the passing of the Buddha into final Nirvana after death’. Also impressive is the intricate designs of its soles made of mother of pearl that showcase in great detail ‘the 108 lakshanas or auspicious characteristics of Buddha’.

The temple was constructed by the orders of King Rama I in 1782 after the foundation of Bangkok. However, it was during the reign of King Rama III that the temple complex was renovated and enlarged to its present size.

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