Buddha Somdej
Posted in Antiques on 05/06/2008 11:54 am by admin
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The 200 year Triple Scripture Halls – the Repository of Canon at the Temple of the Bells
Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok is famous for its temples known as Wats. Sightseers in Bangkok can admire exquisite Thai architecture at these impressive temples. Towards the riverside of Chao Phraya River in Thonburi, Bangkok houses a one of a kind temple known as Wat Rakhang Khositaram. This is the very temple that houses the famous 200 year Triple Scripture Halls of Bangkok.
The term Rakhang means bell in Thai, hence Wat Rakhang is also known as the Temple of the Bells. The temple earned its name after the discovery of an ancient bell in the premises, where this hefty bell dates back to the times of King Rama I. During the reign of King Rama II, the old bell was moved to Temple of the Emerald Buddha, in exchange for five new bells. The ornate belfry, Hor Rakhang, enshrines these five bells in the compound of Wat Rakhang.
Wat Rakhang Khositaram was constructed during Ayutthaya period which spans from mid 14th century to mid 18th century. King Taksin revamped and upgraded this temple to the state of a royal temple during the 18th century. The temple’s fame rose even more during the Rattanakosin period, which extends from late 18th century to early 20th century. This was during the reign of King Rama IV, when one of the most famous Buddhist patriarchs in Thailand resided in Wat Rakhang.
This patriarch Somdej Buddhacariya, fondly known as Somdej Toh, is a great intellectual Buddhist monk of the 19th century. Prince Mongkut, before inheriting the thrown and becoming King Rama IV, was a monk for 28 years and a disciple of Somdej Toh. The sacred title Somdej, only second in rank to the highest title supreme patriarch, was granted by the king himself to his teacher. Somdej Toh was then assigned to Wat Rakhang, which stood just across the river from the palace. Somdej Toh was widely renowned due to his unparalleled wisdom in Tripitaka and his unique style of preaching with local poetry.
Tripitaka or the Pali Canon is the collective term for a vast collection of scriptures taught in Theravada Buddhist schools. King Rama I remodelled some of the structures at Wat Rakhang to serve as scripture halls. These halls became the repository for the sacred Tripitaka, encased in gilded cabinets adorned in lacquer. Later these halls became famous as the 200 year Triple Scripture Halls.
Apart from the scripture halls, there is so much to see in Wat Rakhang. The temple’s ordination hall is a must visit attraction, teeming with striking murals and ornate decorations. The architecture of the Wat Rakhang too can be admired to a great extent. It has multi-gabled roofs of traditional Thai architecture further enhanced with an impressively ornate facade. You will also see some rich wooden carvings and stunning motifs in the premises.
You can reach Wat Rakhang by arriving at Bangkok Noi District’s Arun Amorin Road, where the temple sits. Reserve your accommodation at a cosy hotel apartment Bangkok such as those offered by Bangkok President Solitaire. This exclusive Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 11 is strategically sited in the Bangkok city centre. What’s more this hotel is also surrounded by the cream of shopping hotspots in Bangkok which can be easily accessed within minutes.
About the Author
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
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