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| Subject: Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok 13/11/2010, 10:05 pm | |
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Temple of the Emerald Buddha, also called Wat Phra Kaew, isconsidered the most sacred temple (wat) of Buddha in Thailand. Wat PhraKaew is located within the historic center of Bangkok (district PhraNakhon), inside the grounds of the Grand Palace. Within the temple is avaluable artifact called the Emerald Buddha Statue and it is said to bethe idol that protects the city. The Statue of Emerald Buddha is madeup of green jade (not emerald) and is dressed in gold clothes with atotal height of 45cm.As far as the history of the statue goes, it is said that it wasmade in India during 43 BC in Patliputra. The statue was transferred toSri Lanka for its safeguard. And then, years later in 1784, it wasplaced within Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Thailand. The structure of thestatue is called the Jasper Statue. Tourists not only come to thisplace because of its sacred beauty but also to adore and admire thebeautiful statue that stands in the middle of the temple. It is greenin color and covered all over with gold. The statue has three differentset of clothes which are changed only by the King when the seasonschange. The sets of clothes which are not used are kept safe in Regalia(public grounds) for public display. The temple is like a personalchapel of the royal family and therefore, does not house any kind ofmonks.The entrance to the temple is from the backside and faces the backof the Emeral Buddha Statue. To reach the entrance to the ubosot, theaudience has to climb up to the terrace. The temple is covered entirelyby a gallery, the outside of which is depicted with paintings from theRamakien epic.
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