1. Wat Phra Sri Ratana Sasadaram (Wat Phra kaew)
INTROCUCTION
King Rama I, Phra Bat Somdej Phra Phuttha Yod Fa Chula Lok Maha Raja, founder of the Chakri Dynasty, had buit the grand palace in 1782 (2325B.E.) at the same time as Bangkok (Ratanakosin) and as the capital of Thailand. When Kimg Rama I succeeded the throne. The construction work took place for three years, and Royal chapel, Wat Phra Sri Ratana Sasadaram is located within beside the Royal residences.
The architectural plan of the grand palace is similarly to Ayutthaya period. This Grand Palace has an area of 218,444 square metres (218,400) Tarang Mastres or about 60 acres (152 Rai 2 Nang) and is surrounded by four walls, 1,900 metres in length.
Wat Phra Sri Ratana Sasadaram
Wat Phra Sri Ratana Sasadaram, generally called the temple of the emerald Buddha, is a temple particularly built to house a Buddha image, Chaophraya Chakri who became king Rama I brought the Buddha image from Vientiane when he captured the city.
He built the temple and enshrined the Emerald Buddha there. The Emerald Buddha temple does not house any monks. It can be concluded that the temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred temple of Thailand.
I.Plan of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Sasadaram
1. A Patron Rup Rushi
A Patron is hermit doctor statue of the fatther of Thai herbal medicine. The Patron regarded as protecting a particular person or place is the patron saint of travelers. The figure is a seated hermit patron of Thai Medicine. The patron is behind the ordination hall (Phra Ubosoth) which enshrined the Emerald Buddha. It was made in the time of King Rama III.
2. Cloisters with Mural Paintings (Phra Rabiang)
Cloisters cane compared to the temple walls. These Paintings were the first done in the reign of the King Rama I. The Mural Paintings consist of 178 sections. This is a poem describing scenes from the Ramakien epic in each section. Here is a very brief statment of the story. The Enclosure gallery with mural painting surrounding the Phra Ubosoth shows the Ramakien story, the Indian Ramayana:
Tosakanth, the King of Demons kidnaps Sita, queen of Phra Rama to Lonka city, where he thinks that she may fall in love with him.
Tosakanth asks his many relatives and friends to participate with him in the battles, in the same way, King Rama has a monkey army and great monkey warriors under his command. In the last, the King Rama wins a victory over Tosakanth and takes Sita to Ayodhaya, the capital of King Rama. The word “Ayodhaya” is the former capital of Ayodtthaya in the reign of King Rama.
The Ramakien is very popular in Thailand and other Southeast Asian Nations. Thai arts are filled with the Ramakien or Ramayana. The word “Rama” in the English language for titles of the Kings in the present chakri dynasty.
3. The Guardian Giants (Gate-Keeping Giants)
There are six pairs of demon guardian statutes at the entrance gates to temple in the gallery. These are the main Giants of the Ramayana. They stand facing the o dination hall (Phra Ubosoth) meaning that they are guarding the Emerald Buddha in side from all evil spirits.
These demon guardians were built in the reign of king Rama III, each one describing an important character in the Ramakien story. The green one describes Tosakanth, the demon King and red one represents Sahassadeja, one of Tosakanth’s warriors.
4. The Golden Stupa (Phra Sri Ratana Chedi)
The golden stupa is Phra Sri Ratana Chedi, The Cheji is one worthy of veneration as if the Buddha. The King Rama IV, Phra MOngkut has built the golden Chedi and thansferred the merit resulting from the construction to his parents.
The golden Stupa is a modal one of three large stupas at Phra Sri Ssnphet temple in Ayutthaya, the former capital city of Thailand. Inside is a small Chedi. Relics of the Buddha have been enshrined in it. The Chedi has a bell shape, which is the Ceylonese style. In the reign of King Rama V, Phra Chula Chom Klao Chao Ya Hua had applied the golden tile mosaics to the stupa.
5. The library (Phra mondop)(Ho Tri)
The Buddhist library was built in the reign of King Rama I, containing the Tipitaka, (The Buddhist scriptures) revised at Wat Mahathat, and after the revision was completed, transferred a new copy of it to house in this beautiful spired library. There are statues of the giants and human-faced Naga guarding all of four doors. Four stone Buddha images of Javanese style in the 14th or 15th century are placed at the four corners of the external walls.
These models of the original ones which are now kept in the museum of the royal temple. The original Buddha images were made of volcanic stone and were presented to King Rama V by governor of Java during the Royal visits to Indonesia.
Around the library, there are four small pillars Royal Pavilions on the Pillars contain the Royal symbols of all the King of the present dynasty. The mondop has been used by the King to enshrine objects of veneration. Phra Mondop is never open to the public.
6. Phra Vihara Yod (The spired Hall)
This building is the spired hall. The Vihara Yod was built in the reign of King Rama III. The door of this hall ornamented with the mother pearl is in the late Ayutthaya period. The spired Hall was made to contain a large standing Buddha image named “Phra Naga” This image had been moved down from Ayutthaya. It now serves as a chapel for the Phra Naka image.
7. Model of Angor Wat (Nakhon Wat Chamlong)
This is a model of Angor Wat. Sandstone model of the famed Cambodian temple. The King Rama IV, Phra Mongkut had duilt this by Phra Samphopphai under Simese control.
The model of Angor Wat is an impressive example of Khmer architecture of the 12th century.
During that period, Cambodia was still kingdom of Thailand or under Thai rule. After that the model of Angor Wat was recreated at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first centenary of the royal city.
8. The Royal Pantheon. (Prasat Phra Thep Bidon)
Prasat Phra Thep Bidon originally called Buddha Prang Prasat was built in the reign of King Rama IV. This building originally intended for enshrining the Emerald Buddha and now it serves as the Royal Pantheon. This Royal Pantheon is a pavilion with four-square Prangs. Now it is inside used for keeping statues of deceased eight King of Chakri Dynasty.
The Royal Pantheon is open to the Public in once a year on the 6th of April which the public pay their respects on Chakri Day.
The gilt image of mythical beings standing in front of the Royal Pantheon reside the Himavavant forest of thai cosmology, such a bronze images of living beings half-giant and half-bird, half-human and half-bird.
This image is “Absornsi” half-angel and half-lion standing with hands in giving everyone a warm welcome. There are two gilded stupas in front of the Royal Pantheon. They were built in the reign of King Rama I in dedication to his parents.
9. Phra Atsada Maha Chedi (Phra Prang)
This group of eight Prangs stands in front of the temple. The form of a Thai Prang derives from the Khmer Prasat. It was built in the reign of King Rama I, the eight Prangs are of different colours and each one is dedicated to a certain Buddhist concept or a specific element of Buddhism.
We will start with the north Prangs and move the south.
1. White for the Buddha.
2. Purplish Blue for the Dhamma.
3. Pink for the community of Buddhist monks.
4. Green for Buddhist Nuns who existed in the old period.
5. Purple for the Pacceka Buddha who has attained enlightenment but not able to teach the knowledge to human beings.
6. Dark Blue for the Universal Monarchs. (Borommachakkrawatti Raja)
7. Red for the Bodhisattvas who practice great vitues and will be Enlightened and became the Buddha in the next life.
8. Yellow for the Buddha Ariyamaittrai, Mahayana Buddhism calls him Maitreya, the future Buddha.
10. Convocation Hall (Phra Ubosoth)
This is Phra Ubosoth or convocation hall for the Buddhist clergy. This Ubosoth was built in 1782-1785 (2325-2328 B.E.) by King Rama I for enshring the Emerald Buddha, the external walls of Ubosoth are covered with gold stucco and coloured mosaics. These figures of lions are standing as door guardians and sample of Thai Chinese – culture mix while on the internal wall are describing the life of the Buddha and other subjects. Entry to the chapel is on the east side. Inside the Convocation Hall containing the Emerald Buddha, there also are other interesting items:
The gole-covered wooden thone, The mother-of-pearl door-panels, The large standing crowen Buddha images dedicated king Rama I and Rama II, A amall bronze Buddha image called Phra Sambuddhapanni created cy king Rama IV, The crowned Buddha images in bronze in the attitude of calming the ocean, Mural painting inside Ubosoth and bronze lion door-guardians.
11. The Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaew Morakot)
The Emerald Buddha is carved from a large piece of green jade. The size of the Emerald Buddha is 66 centime tres high and 48.3 centimetres wide at the knees. It is in a seated position in the attitude of meditation, right leg folded over the left and both hahds placed in the lap. It was the style of the Chiang San School of the north Thailand. It was first discovered in chiang Rai in the reign of King Tiloknatha (1441-1487) who brought it to Chiang Mai in 1481.
In 1551 Chaichettha was the king of Laos took the Buddha image to Luang Phra Bang and then to Vientiane which became the capital of Laos. The Buddha image remained there till 1778.
When 1778 King Rama I Phra Phuttha Yod Fa Chula Lok was a campaign over Laos. He had brought it back at Wat Arun in Thon Buri, the capital at the time.
When King Rama I constructed Wat Phra Sri Ratana Sasadaram within the Grand Palace at Ratanakosin.
So on the 5th March, 1785, the Emerald Buddha was transferred from Wat Arun and brought it to Wat Phra Kaew and then enshrined in the Phra Ubosoth to the present site.
The Buddha image was placed high on a golden throne made of gilt carved wood. The Emerald Buddha has three customs, one for each season, one for summer, one for winter and one for the rainy season, all made of gold asd Jewelry. The ceremony of changing the customs of the Emerald Buddha takes place three times a year with the King performing the ceremony.
12. The lined Pavilions (Sala Rai)
Open pavilions surround the Royal Chapel of the Emerrald Buddha. There are 12 lined pavilions, like this one surrounding the Emerald Buddha used as a resting place for people who came to make merit at the temple. The people have also used the pavilions as place to read religious texts ans on certain Buddhast holiday.
13. Ho Phra Khanthara rat
Small pavilion houses the Buddha image used in the Royal ploughing Ceremny or the ceremony of the first rice planting. This chaple of a Buddha image called Phra Khanthara Rat is used for invoking rain or rain-making ceremony according to ancient Thai belief of the first rice planting. The Phra Buddha Khanthara Rat image is enshrined here.
14. The Belfry (Ho Rahhang)
Delightful bell tower, of which the bell is rung on special occasions. This present bell tower was constructed in the reign of King Rama IV, a replacement for the one building in the reign of King Rama I. This bell was moved from Wat Rakhang Kositaram. This sound of bell is now only on certain occasions such as on New Year’s Day.
15. Ho Phra Ratchaphongsanuson
The Phra Ratchaphongsanuson was built in the reign of King Rama IV. This is the location of the Buddha image of the memorial chapel in reign of the King of the Chakri dynasty.
II. Plan of the Grand Palace
1. Phra Thianng Borom Phiman Hall
Phra Thianng Borom Phiman Hall is in area of the middle palace. That Borom Phiman Hall was built in the western style in 1909 by King Rama V for His Heir apparent. This mansion was used as a former Royal residence by the King VII and King Rama VIII. At present it serves as the Royal Guest House for visiting heads of state guests of Thai Majesties.
2. The Audience Hall of Amrindra Winithchai (Phra Thinang Amrindra Winitchai)
This Audience Hall of Amrindra Winithchai was built during the reign of King Rama I in 1785 (2328 B.E.). Originally, the principal audience Hall once used to receive the dignitaries and foreign ambassadors in the audience. Today it is used for many state ceremonies or on importance state occasions such as that commemorating the King’s birthday. The Audience Hall contains two thrones:
2.1 Phra Thinang Busabok Mala is the boat-shaped throne in which the original throne was constructed by King Rama I. It is in the form of Busabok and was reserved for King and object of veneration. Today this throne is used to enshrine images of Buddha during ceremonies.
2.2 Phra Thaen Rachabanlang Sawetachtra. This throne is sheltered by the nine-tired great white umbrella of state. It was constructed by King Rama I. This throne is used as ceremonies of consecration investitures and the annual birthday audience for the King.
In the old days, this throne was audience hall in which the two british ambassadors, John Crowford during the reign of King Rama II and Sir John Bowring during the reign of King Rama IV were both received here.
3. Phra Thinang Phaisan Taksin
This Hall was originally used as a private audience Hall by King Rama I, who died here in 1909. When King Rama II succeeded his father and he used this hall as the ceremony for holding his consecration of King. Within Phaisan Taksin, it is placed a high altar where three image of the guardian deity of the nation (The Phra Siam Thevathiraja) is installed. The most important part of the coronation ceremony takes place in Phaisan Taksin Hall.
4. Throne Hall (Chakri Maha Prasat)
Chakri Throne Hall is a royal residence built by King V in 1877. The original design by the British architect, Mr.John Clunish called for three domes over the building in the European style but at the request of the former regent,
Somdej Chao Phraya Borom Maha Sri Suriya Wong, the King Rama V changed it to “Prasat spired” a Thai style roof. Chakrimaha Prasat is Hybrid Thai European architecture.
Construction lasted for six years 1876-1882. The main audience hall on the second floor below the central Prasat is now used for diplomatic receptions and for state banquets.
Underground floor is a museum housing a large collection of ancient Thai weapons.
5. Racha Karanya Sapha Hall
This Ratcha Katcha Sapha hall was built by King Rama V as a meeting hall for councils of state.
6. Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall
This Dusit Maha Prasat Throne hall was built in the regin of King Rama I. It is an example of pure early Ratanakosin style Thai architecture. Inside a throne has two important objects :
1) Phra Ratcha Banlang Pradap Muk in the reign of King Rama I. A wooden throne decorated with mother of pearl inlay.
2) Phra Thaen Ratcha Banchathon Pradap Muk. A wooden bed decorated with mother of pearl inlay was built in the regn of King Rama I. The Principal function of Dusit Maha Prasat has been dan still is a hall for the lying in-state of Kings, Queens and honoured members of the royal family, kept in a golden urn prior to cremation. This hall is also used for the annual consecration day ceremony.
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