Dhamma Path Blog: Visiting Wat Ratchabophit (BE2567) ~ Abbot Is Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana ~ The Current Supreme Patriarch Of Thailand.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Visiting Wat Ratchabophit (BE2567) ~ Abbot Is Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana ~ The Current Supreme Patriarch Of Thailand.

Wat Ratchabophit is one of the amazingly decorated temples in Bangkok, not far from Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew ~ The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is yet another fine example of the wide range of color and architectural styles reflected in these beautiful structures. The colorful tiled rooftops, golden spires, and vaulting structures of Wat Ratchabophit are reminiscent of both traditional Thai architecture and gilded Italian architectural influences. Wat Ratchabophit is easily included in a central Bangkok tour and would be worth a visit.

The main Ubosot of Wat Ratchabophit. The back side is located the Golden Chedi (43 meter) and another wiharn with a unique layout. The Ubosot and Wiharn joined by a circular courtyard, at the center of which stands a gilded Golden Chedi covered with orange-coloured tiles and on top of the chedi, there is a golden ball. There is a sacred Relic of Phra Buddha inside and the chedi was built in Sri Lankan style. The Ubosot ordination hall has 10 door panels and 28 window panels each decorated with gilded black lacquer on the inside.

Photo taken in front the Ubosot of Wat Ratchabophit.

During my visited, a group of school children attended dhamma study inside the Ubosot. The sermon talk given by a monk of Wat Ratchabophit. A very good atmosphere.

The Phra Phuttha Angkhirot, the principal Buddha image of the ubosot at Wat Ratchabophit, was made of gold in the reign of King Rama V. The gold weighing 2.7kg used in moulding the statue had been melted from jewellery worn by King Rama V when he was a young prince. The statue is in the meditation posture and wearing a pleated saffron robe. Its lap is 1.5m wide. It was named after one of the previous Lord Buddhas, meaning there's an aura around the body. The base was made of marble imported from Italy. Inside the base are enshrines the Royal ashes of Thai monarchs of King Rama V, King Rama VII and his queen, and King Rama IX.

The inside interior of the temple Ubosot, is inspired by gilded Italian architecture that King Rama V saw on a visit to Europe. The entrance doors are 3m high and are decorated with inlaid mother-of-pearl, which represents various medals and decorations.

The front of Ubosot, center the Golden Chedi and back side another Wiharn in one layout combination.

The photo taken of the beautiful and stunning view.

Photo taken with portrait of Supreme Patriarch - His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana IX.

His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana IX (Thai: สมเด็จพระอริยวงศาคตญาณ) is the current Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyawongsagatayan (Amporn Amphon Maha Thera), born on June 26, 1927, the son of Mr. Nab and Mrs. Tan Prasatthaphong, his original name was Amporn. He studied the basic alphabet until the end of first grade at Thewanukroh School. 4th Wing of Lopburi Province and Grade 4 at Wat Phanoen Phlu Local School Ratchaburi Province. Later, he was ordained as a novice at Wat Sattanath Pariwat, with Phra Thammasenani (Ngern Nontho) as the preceptor. He passed the examination for a first-class Dhamma scholar and four sentences of precepts in the Wat Triyat School.

In 1947, His Holiness Somdet Phra Phutthapapotchanabodi (Thongchua Chinthakaro) was presented to the Supreme Patriarch. Krom Luang Chinwaralongkorn In the office of Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram. He was ordained as a monk in 1948 with His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch. Krom Luang Chinwaralongkorn Be a preceptor Somdej Phra Phutthapapotchanabodi (Thongchua Chinthakaro) is a monk. Received the nickname "Amparo" and passed the 6-sentence Dhamma examination in 1950. After that, he studied at the Mahamakut Buddhist College of Education until graduating with a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1957 and continued his studies at the master's degree level at Varanasi University, republic of india until graduating with a master's degree History and archaeology in 1969. His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyawongsagatayan (Amporn Ampromahathera), Somdet Phra Sangharaja. Sakon Maha Sanghaparinayok He pioneered missionary work in the Commonwealth of Australia. He was the head of the Buddhist mission in Sydney, New South Wales. Commonwealth of Australia in 1973, staying at Wat Buddharangsi Stanmore. As a result, he was given the opportunity to discuss Dhamma with His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn. When His Majesty went to study at Dunthrun Military College, Canberra, Commonwealth of Australia.

He supported the duty of Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram. He was a teacher teaching discipline to monks and novices since he was a monk. When he held the position of abbot, he directed a major renovation of the monastery. On the occasion of Suphawara 150 years, Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram, he expanded the area of Wat Ratchabophit School to have a larger area and please allow the construction of the Arun Nipa Kunakorn Building as a memorial to Her Royal Highness Her Royal Highness Princess Arun Nipagunakorn, who gave launch to Wat Ratchabophit School Vipassana business. He always practiced asceticism together with the Aranvasi monks in the northeastern region. Especially Phra Achan Fan Ajaro, who is respected as a teacher Vipassana Tudong Forest Tammayut (Wat Pha Udom Somporn, Sakon Nakorn – Guru Master of the Thai Forest tradition of the Lineage of Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatto). When Phra Achan Fan Ajaro passed away, he still held the position of president of the Phra Ajarn Fan Ajaro Foundation to continue the mission of propagation and introspection as well.

On February 12, 2017, His Majesty was granted the royal title of Somdej Phra Ariyawongsakatayanana. Somdet Phra Sangharaja Sakon Maha Sanghaparinayok He is the 20th Supreme Patriarch of Rattanakosin. Since then, His Majesty has been bestowed with special honors, that is, he has been given a special ivory fan decorated with precious stones. On the auspicious occasion of His Majesty's 50th birthday and performing His special duties included giving a sermon. In the Royal Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and has performed Royal duties on the occasion of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn are as follows: Offering holy water to the Buddha at the Phra Krayasanan Monastery and offered sermons. On the occasion of the Royal Coronation Ceremony 2019, as well as delivering the auspicious sermon On the occasion of the royal birthday celebration ceremony. Although Somdet Phra Ariyawongsagatayan (Amporn Ampra Maha Thera), the Supreme Patriarch Sakon Maha Sanghaparinayok His Holiness will be more than 90 years old, but he will still be diligent and perform royal duties to help Buddhists always with kindness.

More surrounding photos of the outside buildings are decorated with hand-painted glazed tiles similar to Thai benjarong enamels, while the doors and window frames are elaborately decorated with gold and mirrors.

The temple hall building, Drum, Bell Tower and Monument Prang Chedi.

The doorway to Golden Chedi, with 2 Elephants guardian.

The beauty of Ornamental tree and plant.

The door guardian and paintings.

Photo taken with the Golden Chedi.

Front Ubosot, Golden Chedi and back Wiharn building.

The Chedi of Mausoleum of Savang Vadhana located on the west end of the temple grounds. The Royal Cemetery, with numerous monuments to major and minor members of the Royal Family, most notably those in the immediate family of King Chulalongkorn. One of the memorials, the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, contains the ashes of Mahidol Adulyadej, the father of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Srinagarindra (his wife) and Galyani Vadhana (his daughter).