Visit to Buddha Wat Pho and Wat Arun

We spent a lot of time in the courtyards of the Emerald Buddha but there was still the sumptuous reclining Buddha to see 700 meters away from the Grand Palace.   Here there was a large collection of Buddha figurines, the largest being the 46 meter long gold plated reclining Buddha that we wanted to see.

One of the kings reception rooms on leaving the Grand Palace

Leaving the temples of the Grand Palace

Wat Pho where the reclining Buddha resides is one of Bangkok's most ancient temples and was once a monastery of the Bodhi tree from India.  It existed before King Rama I declared Bangkok the capital in 1782.  The temple was later rebuilt and expanded by King Rama III ( 1787-1851).  It is also the birthplace of traditional natural Thai medicine and massage which is still taught and practiced today.   It was intended as an educational center for these practices.  There are several statues we saw depicting massage and yoga positions.

Ancient tablets showing the meridians of the body.

Massage and yoga positions

A rather daunting massage technique

 This elegant Thai girl pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable clothing for temples

but she was carrying a scarf to throw over her shoulders before entering a temple.

One of the Chinese statues, a gift to one of the Rama kings.

The idea of the reclining Buddha was conceived to copy the pose of a sleeping lion which represents complete spiritual enlightenment attained through the ending of all worldly desires. 

The soles of the feet of the Buddha are exquisetly crafted with inlaid mother of pearl (see below). 

the soles of the feet of the reclining Buddha

 And at the center of each foot is the symbol of the wheel ( dharma-cause and effect).

The head as seen from the back posed on elaborate pillows

The reclining buddha makes quite an impression....too bad the pavilion erected over the statue prevents one from seeing the whole thing at one time, but it is otherwise protected so I see the point. 
  Around the room were 108 bronze bowls representing the 108 auspicious characteristics of The Buddha.   It is believed that donating coins into these bowls brings wealth and prosperity.  But mostly I think the monks use these coins to help maintain the temple. 

Between the two temples,  we were pretty saturated by temple visiting on a hot day and paused for water and a discussion with Qiu about what Buddhism means to her.   I am curious if all Thais meditate.   I found throughout the trip that many ordinary Thais do have a daily practice of sitting meditation but some use other forms of activity to meditate.  

Last stop was to see Wat Arun before stopping by the outdoor bazaar of mid day in Bangkok.     

One of the entry buildings to Wat Arun

The spire of Wat Arun

Food sellers outside the temple

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My best memory of Wat Arun is Qiu charging off across the grass to educate some young anglo tourists inappropriately dressed for the temple who were standing on their heads on the grass thus exposing the soles of their feet to the temple and letting the shirt of the girl slip down  to uncover her bra. 

 I was glad that I had read all the material that was sent out by Tell Tale Travel about Thai beliefs and customs.   Qiu ran off to educate these kids and we looked on bemused and pleased at her efforts.  With a country grown and modernized so fast, the ancient customs and beliefs are more important than ever.  

By the way, Wat Arun is considered to be the most famous and photographed temple in Bangkok.  It features a 70 meter high spire decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain not unlike the buildings of the Grand Palace and Temple of the emerald Buddha.  

It has been newly replastered with new pieces of porcelain studding the plaster throughout.  We were able to climb up a bit and examine it.   The locals were at first unhappy at how white it was since it had almost turned black with age.  But now everyone is happy with the new plaster as it has a bit of patina.  

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