Built in 1385, Wat Phra Singh is Chiang Rai's one of the oldest wats. It was built almost hundred years after the city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262. There is one Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai as well.
It is very common for more than one wat to have the same name.
History of Phra Singh Buddha:
- According to the legend, the image is a copy which was housed in Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya(India), the place where Gautam Buddha atttained nirvana or enlightenment.
- It reached Sri Lanka and then made its way to Nakhon Si Thammarat in Southern Thailand in 1307, on the western shore of Gulf of Thailand as that the first center where Sri Lankan style of Buddhism was practiced. Another legend says it was made in Sri Lanka in 157 A.D. and reached Thailand.
- Since, the image came from Sinhala which was used for Sri Lanka, it came to be known as Sihing. It should not be confused with Singh which means a lion. How people came to be known as Sinhalese is going to side line of this post.
- Phra Singh Buddha again made a journey from Sukhothai to Ayuthaya then to Khamphaeng Phet(Southern Thailand).
- Phra Chao Maha Proma took the image to Chiang Rai in 1388.
- After Chiang Rai, it made its last journey to Chiang Mai, which was the new capital of Lanna Kingdom, where it still residing at Wat Phra Singh in Viharn Lai Kham, Wat Phra Singh
- According to Thai culture at that time, it was believed that wherever this Buddha image resides, Buddhism would prosper. So, exact two copies in Sukhothai style were made plus one original but all claiming to be original. Then, two replicas were made. That makes four plus one images of Phra Singh.
- The two latest replicas are enshrined in Wat Phra Singh and in Wat Chong Klang in Mae Hong Son, both these places in Chiang Rai.
- Of the two replica images, one is inside Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai and the other in Phra Sihing Hall in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
- The one presumed to be original coming from Sri Lanka, Phra Phuttha Sihing is in Phutthai Sawan or Buddhaisawan Hall of National Museum in Bangkok. The image is a highly revered one and is placed in second place after the Emerald Buddha. It was brought from Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai in 1795 by Maha Sura Singhanat, brother of King Rama I, the first King of Siam.
History of temple:
- Phra Chao Maha Proma was a prince who forcefully tried to take over the throne of Lanna Kingdom from his brother, King Mengrai who the rightful heir. Failing to get the throne, he went to Ayuthaya Kingdom, came back after few years along with the important Buddha image, Phra Singh.
- The temple is said to be built in 1385, almost towards the end of Phra Chao Maha Proma who ruled from 1345 to 1400.
- The wat was given the status of Royal temple of first grade in 1935 by King Ananda Mahidol(Rama VIII), the older brother of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).
entrance as seen from road
entrance guarded by lions
side entrance
Under a tree, on a circular platfrom are many Buddha images in different postures------Dhyaan mudra or meditative posture, bhumisparsh mudra can be seen in the above picture.
In yet under another tree very close to the other one are Buddha images in their famous mudras. We see going from left to right, contemplative posture, abhaya mudra, the reclining Buddha, Buddhapatra mudra, dhyaan mudra.
main entrace which was closed, faces the viharn
Viharn:
The typical Lanna style viharn has a multi-tiered roof and naga decorated bargeboards.
Built in 1385, the roofs are said to be the most beautiful in Thailand.
Makar disgorging Naga in front of Viharn
golden and green naga guard the entrance to viharn
The typical Lanna style viharn beautifully decorated with red and gold.
viharn is guarded by white and golden lions at the entrance door
The panels and doors are carved beautifully in wood with Lanna flower patterns, On top of the entrance are two Thewada figures, celestial figures.
On top of the side entrance on either side are seen two peacocks, two golden lions and one white and golden lion.
peacocks on top of side entrance, flower motifs decorate all around
the other entrance
Such art work are all around the viharn, just above the monks seating place. The above piece depicts a scene from Ramayana. It portrays, Ravana abducting Sita, Rama is on the hillock while Hanumana sits near the hillock.
The viharn houses Thailand's most revered and sacred Buddha image, Phra Phutta Singh or Phra Phutta Sihing, which is made of bronze and gold plated.
It is 2.04 meter wide and 2.84 meter high, a little smaller than the original. The image is in bhumisparsh mudra and sits on lotus flowers base.
Chair for monk in sermon time
extremely beautiful pulpit in red and gold
Pulpits are hardly used these days, I have seen one pulpit in Wat Sri Kerd.
Ban Pratoo Luang:
These are the beautiful carved doors athe entrance of viharn. The wooden work shows shows the artwork of a successful Lanna artist, Tawan Duchanee. It shows the existence of wind, fire, water and earth through four mythical animlas--- Garuda (air), singh or lion (fire), naga(water) and an elephant with tusks (earth).
The artist shows the relation between these animals and the elements earth, water, fire and earth that exist in our bodies.
windows of viharn with Chinese zodiac signs, thewada figures on sides
sema or sacred boundary stone
beautifully crafted windows
this window pattern is different than the one above
Close to viharn is the ubosoth or ordination hall.
The wooden building is small but very ornate and you gasp after seeing the beauty from inside.
the barge boards are decorated with naga and kinnar
the multi-tiered roof of ubosot has many honsa or hong or hongsa
thewada figure stands outside
first view of ubosoth
golden thewada figures on both sides of entrance
Here, was enshrined the original Phra Phutta Sihing or Phra before it was shifted to Chiang Mai. The original has been replaced by a replica now.
murals on walls of ubosot
decorated window
more murals
mural showing the wat
The 14th century golden plated Sinhalese style chedi is located just behind the viharn.
It has a square base is surrounded by small stupa all around. There are four niches on four sides in which are placed an image of Buddha in each.
The chedi is topped by five-tiered umbrella.
There are umbrellas at four corners.
small stupa and lion
Buddha in one of the niches
another image of Buddha on other side.
reclining images beside the chedi
Phra Song Kad Jai or Kaccana under an umbrella
bell tower
side entrance
Pali school
Adjacent to viharn is the Pali language school. The Buddhist scriptures and Tripitaka are all written in Pali. The building has beautifully Thewada figures and the arch gate has naga serpents.
Monks kuti or living quarters
rear gate
Right opposite to Phra Singh, across the road, you see replicas of Royal Chariots which are displayed at Chalermprakiat Kanchanapisek Cultural Hall.
The golden chariots are decorated with beautiful naga serpents.
Opening hours: daily 0800 hours to 1700 hours
Entrance fee: free
Wow, fantastic
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