#Bangkok, #Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan

 

Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Woramahawihan It is a royal temple of the first class. Woramahawiharn type Construction began in the year 1940 on Phahon Yothin Road. At kilometer marker 18, Anusawari Subdistrict (Formerly known as Kub Daeng Subdistrict), Bang Khen District, Bangkok It was opened as a seat of monks as a state ceremony on June 24, 1942, with Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana. Somdet Phra Patriarch (Pae Tissatewo) of Wat Suthat Thepwararam as the chairman invited Phra Buddha Sihing From Phutthaisawan Throne Hall National Museum to be enshrined as the principal Buddha image at the Ubosot

On September 18, 1940, Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram which at that time held the rank and the title is Major General Luang Pibulsongkram Prime Minister proposed to the Cabinet meeting Ask for approval of money to build a temple. to commemorate the democratic regime and wishes to be completed in time for the National Day, which is June 24, 1941. The place to be built should be close to the Lak Si Monument. His reasoning was that nation and religion belong together. cannot be separated from each other And the principles of Buddhism are consistent with the democratic system of government. Therefore, it is appropriate to build a temple near the Lak Si Monument. This monument has inscribed the names of those who died due to the suppression of the Boworadet Rebellion in 1933 and wished to be named "Democracy Temple"

while the consideration was being carried out A noble world vision was born by the government of His Majesty the King. has sent a special envoy with Rear Admiral Thawan Thamrongnawasawat (later became the Prime Minister), who at that time held the rank and title of Captain Luang Thamrong Nawasawat as a leader to develop good relations with India (Before World War 2, India has not yet gained independence from England).

1. Lord Buddha's relics

2. Ask for 5 branches of Phra Sri Maha Bodhi from the original continuation. where the Lord Buddha sat down Attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, India

3. Asking for soil from four sacred places: birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and nirvana.

The Indian government has considered that, there are many people who believe in Buddhism. Widely spread in many countries. But there is only one country in this world (1941) where Buddhism is the official religion and the state religion. It is an independent country. The King is the head of the country and is the patron saint of Buddhism. "That country is" Thailand. Therefore, the Indian government considers giving it.

1. The relics of the Lord Buddha were discovered at the Dhamma Rachika Stupa. and preserved in the National Museum

2. Giving 5 branches of Phra Sri Maha Bodhi as requested by the Thai government.

3. and gave soil from the place of suffering as desired

The Thai government therefore agreed to have it brought and enshrined at the newly built temple. and saw that the Phra Si Maha Bodhi tree and the relics of the Lord Buddha are auspicious for the new temple that will be built. which was received on the same occasion that the temple was to be built. So they agreed to name the temple. "Wat Phra Si Mahathat"

The construction of the temple began, and the government considers Buddhism to be the state religion. Building this temple should be a national task. The public should also be involved. The government therefore provides opportunities for people to participate in donating assets. Therefore there is a huge number of people. that donated land, donated money, and donated a lot of various properties. This temple will be the first official temple to be built, in a democratic system and also wishes to have the royal relics enshrined and Phra Si Maha Pho as well Therefore, to glorify Buddhism and preserve Thai arts The government has assigned experts to and various experts work together to create Initially it was given to General Charoon Rattanakul Serererngrit. At that time he held the rank and title of Colonel Luang Seri Roengrit. and another was Major General Luang Wichitwathakarn (Wichit Wichitwathakarn) is the construction director. Phra Phrom Phichit (Wu Laphanon) is the designer. Engineer of the Fine Arts Department and Railway Department Become a construction worker and invite dignitaries with technical knowledge Many other specialists joined together until it was successful. The ceremony was opened and consecrated as a residence for monks on June 24, 1942.

Area

The land of the temple is rectangular. The total area is 246 rai 2 ngan 26 square wa. The front is next to Phahon Yothin Road, divided into 83 rai of the temple site and 163 rai of the remaining monastery land from the temple site. It was allowed to be built as a monastery on March 20, B.E. . 1941 and received the Royal Wisungkhamsima on June 21, 1941.

Phra Ubosot

The ordination hall is in the style of the Chaturamukh Throne Hall. Continuing from the northern and southern porches, there is another tier of Viharn Koth, which surrounds the chapel. At the back is the sermon hall. In front of the chapel is a 38 meter high Phra Maha Chedi named Phra Chedi Si Mahathat. There was a royal ceremony to raise the tiered top of the chedi on April 25, 1941. This Maha Chedi has 2 levels, the outer layer being a large chedi. The inner layer is a small pagoda in the middle. It is the place where the Buddha's relics are enshrined. Between the inner walls of the large pagoda and the small one, there is an area of two and a half meters wide, allowing for a walkway around it. There are entrances and exits on 4 sides for people to enter and worship. The inner wall of the large pagoda was made with 112 compartments, which the Cabinet resolved on April 30, 1941 to use for containing the ashes of those the government and the House of Representatives considered appropriate. That is, those who have made great contributions to the country. Like France's In front of the pagoda on both sides, the east side is made into a round island surrounded by water. For the place where the Phra Si Maha Bodhi tree is enshrined. Five branches of the Phra Sri Maha Bodhi were given by the Government of India. Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram, the Prime Minister, presided over a ceremony to plant them on the round island at the end of the two moats on both sides to the east, one island per tree, on August 31, B.E. in 1941 and the remaining branches were planted at temples in various regions.