Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat Thepwararam (Thai: วัดสุทัศนเทพวราราม, Thai pronunciation: [wát su.tʰát tʰêːp.pʰá.wáʔ.raː.raːm]) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a royal temple of the first grade, one of ten such temples in Bangkok (23 in Thailand). Construction was begun by King Rama I in 2350 BE (1807 CE). In the beginning time it was called "Wat Maha Sutthawat" (วัดมหาสุทธาวาส) and located in the combretum grove. Further construction and decorations were carried out by King Rama II who helped carve the wooden doors, but the temple was not completed until the reign of King Rama III in 2390 BE (1847–1848 CE). This temple contains the Buddha image Phra Sri Sakyamuni (Thai: พระศรีศากยมุนี; RTGS: Phra Si Sakkayamuni) which have been moved from Sukhothai Province. At the lower terrace of the base, there are 28 Chinese pagodas which symbolize the 28 Buddhas born on this earth. Wat Suthat also contains Phra Buddha Trilokachet (Thai: พระพุทธไตรโลกเชษฐ์; RTGS: Phra Phuttha Trai Lokkachet) in the ubosot (ordination hall) and Phra Buddha Setthamuni (Thai: พระพุทธเศรษฐมุนี; RTGS: Phra Phuttha Setthamuni) in the Sala Kan Parian (meeting hall).

Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan
Main sanctuary in the night
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
Location
Location146 Bamrung Mueang Rd, Wat Ratchabophit, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
CountryThailand
Shown within Bangkok
Geographic coordinates13.751028°N 100.501004°E / 13.751028; 100.501004
Architecture
FounderKing Rama I
Completed2350 BE
(1807/08 CE)

In 2005 CE, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future World Heritage Site.

Preta of Wat Suthat
Phra Si Sakyamuni is enshrined in the vihara, also known for its exquisite murals.

The temple dating back to the beginning Rattanakosin Kingdom, it was a place where stories about undead according to the beliefs of Buddhism and Siamese, preta (Thai: เปรต, pret) are often depicted as a tall hungry ghost with a thin body and a scary howling cry. It was said that it often appears in front of the temple at night. Until it was said that "Pret Wat Suthat" (Thai: เปรตวัดสุทัศน์) in pair with "Raeng Wat Saket" (Thai: แร้งวัดสระเกศ, "vultures of Wat Saket").

However, it is believed that what people see as the preta of the Wat Suthat, probably comes from a misunderstanding about seeing the Sao Chingcha, or Giant Swing, a towering Hindu structure that stands in front of the temple at night with no more light.

Besides, one mural in the ordination hall of this temple, also shows painting of one preta lying to feed water from the monks.[1]

  • Ordination hall
  • Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
  • A mural depicting a preta and procession of monks in the ordination hall

See also

References
  1. "ความจริงไม่ตาย : ยักษ์วัดแจ้ง แร้งวัดสระเกศ เปรตวัดสุทัศน์" [Truth never dies : ogres of Wat Arun, vultures of Wat Saket, pret of Wat Suthat]. TPBS (in Thai). 18 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.