Wat Traimit might not rate a second glance if not for its astonishing Buddha image. Although the temple itself pales in comparison to other temples in Bangkok with its rather modest temple architecture, it is the Golden Buddha inside that attracts hundreds of visitors daily.
Wat Traimit is thought to date from the 13th century. The Golden Buddha image is about 900 years old and is cast in the Sukhothai style. The three meter high image of the seated Buddha is made of solid gold and weighs five and a half tonnes, the largest of its kind in the world. The story of the Golden Buddha is interesting because the statue was camouflaged to protect its identity. When the Burmese were about to sack the city, the Golden Buddha was covered in plaster to conceal it from the invaders. Obviously, the camouflage job turned out to be too good because when those responsible for covering it with plaster died, so did the true nature of the Buddha image inside. Two centuries later, still in plaster, it was thought to be worth very little.
But in 1957, when the image was being moved to a new temple in Bangkok, it slipped from a crane and was left in the mud by workmen.
In the morning, a temple monk, who had dreamed that the statue was divinely inspired, went to see the Buddha image. Through a crack in the plaster he saw a glint of yellow, and discovered that the statue was made of pure gold.
The Golden BuddhaThis powerful Buddha image has such a bright, reflective surface that its edges seem to disappear and, it gleams with such richness and purity that even the most jaded are inspired by its strength and power.
Lidy has a close look
Paying respect to the Buddha
Russell was there too
Visitors
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