Wat Pho: A Wonderful Wealth of Wisdom
Nida Sampattavanich
Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn (Wat Pho) is better known worldwide as 'the Temple of the Reclining Buddha'. The temple is a first grade Royal monastery and was the country's most important temple during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809). Earlier this year, the temple received the Memory of the World Award from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its unique archive collection of epigraphs.
Wat Pho is an ancient temple, which was created as the result of a restoration of an existing temple (Wat Phodharam) on the same site, which dated back to the Ayutthaya Era (1350-1767). The first renovation program took place during King Rama I’s reign (1782-1809). This was followed by a comprehensive restoration during King Rama III’s reign (1824-1851), which took 16 years and seven months to complete, extending the temple to its current size.
A Center For Knowledge
King Rama III and his Royal scholars were also responsible for establishing the collection of 1,440 inscriptions and illustrations, which relate to various branches of academia, including archeology, astrology, geography, history, literature and medicine. The marble inscriptions are located within open galleries and pavilions, allowing visitors to examine them in close detail. Wat Pho is considered to be the country’s first university and was the first Thai medical school to receive official approval from the ministry of education.
It's possible to locate a specific form of inscription by examining the shape of the stone surface used – forms of literature (such as poems), for example, can be found carved upon rectangular shaped stone tablets, while references relating to wisdom regarding traditional forms of medicine are engraved on oval-shaped tablets. The impressive collection includes over 1,100 prescriptions for herbal remedies.
Lyrical Expression
Since Thai culture includes many kinds of poetry, aspects relating to the correct form and structure are described in detail, including references to the format and the appropriate use of language. Sample poems relating to specific forms are also on display, providing visitors with some useful examples for reference.
Two pavilions, located in front of four pagodas built under the orders of each of the first four kings of the Chakri Dynasty (Kings Rama I, Rama II, Rama III and Rama IV), host one of the collection's most eye-catching displays. These inscriptions are surrounded by paintings depicting male and female anatomies with references to the location of reflex points and energy meridians used in traditional Thai massage (see photo, below). Another pavilion nearby features 32 drawings, depicting positions relating to traditional Thai massage.
Practical Applications
The Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical Science School and Massage School, which is also located within the temple's compound, continues to provide regular courses of instruction on traditional Thai massage and herbal medicine. Some of its programs, covering traditional Thai massage, the application of herbal compresses and foot reflexology, continue to refer to the depictions found upon the stone inscriptions housed within the temple compound.
Another major attraction at Wat Pho is the temple's collection of hermit statues, which illustrate various postures. Although the collection once included 80 statues, unfortunately, only 24 remain as many are in need of restoration. Each statue illustrates a specific yoga-related posture. These postures are said to be able to provide relief for various ailments, such as headaches, dizziness, stomach aches and cramp.
The temple itself includes up to 95 pagodas, as well as a huge reclining Buddha, measuring 46 meters in length and a height of 15 m. The soles of the statue's feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, depicting 128 auspicious signs of the Buddha.
Wat Pho opens daily from 8 am to 9 pm. Locals can visit for free, while foreigners pay a 50 baht (US$1.67) admission fee (per person).
For further information, call Wat Pho on Tel: +66 (0)2 226 0335, or visit the temple's official website at http://www.watpho.com.
Transport Connections:
Boat: Take a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien Pier (N8), then cross Maharaj Road on foot to reach Wat Pho.
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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