"Reclining Buddha" Wat Pho Tip by voodo0

Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon as it is generally known to the Thais, is mainly famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. It is located behind the splendid Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

The highly impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The Buddha's feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl illustrations of 108 auspicious laksanas (characteristics) of the Buddha.

A small amount of donations buys you a small cup full of coins and along the spine of Wat Po's reclining Buddha, you'll find a long row of black begging bowls (108 of them), corresponding to the 108 auspicious characteristics of the Buddha. Toss some coins in each (takes about 2 min) and you're all filled with luck and good karma and help the monks keep up the temple. It makes a nice sound too while tossing the coins into the bowls.

Wat Pho is open daily between 8am to 5pm. The admission fee is 20B.

Outside, the grounds contain 91 chedis (stupas or mounds), four wihaans (halls), and a bot (the central shrine in a Buddhist temple). Most impressive, aside from the Reclining Buddha, are the four main chedis dedicated to the first four Chakri kings and, nearby, the library. Wat Pho is among the most photogenic of all the wats in Bangkok.

Wat Pho is also famous as Thailand's first university, and is center for traditional Thai masage - the rich, famous and powerful have all been known to come here. Inscribed on stone in the walls of Wat Pho are all that was known about Thai massage datin.

Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Directions: The entrance to Wat Pho is on Chetuphon road. Entrance is 20B. It's open every day, opening hours are from 08.00am to 5.00pm, with a break from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.
Phone: 02-221-991
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/