“More gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than has been taken from the earth.”
Napoleon Hill
Temple of the Golden Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand
Contrasting with the public acquisition and establishment of The Emerald Buddha, it was after 200 years of obscurity that The Golden Buddha saw the light of the day. The idol belongs to the 13th-14th century – the Sukhothai period in Siam history. Thais moved it from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya in the early 15th century. To avoid plunder from Burmese invaders, the Siamese camouflaged the idol in stucco and mirror-work plastering. Many Buddha statues were moved to Bangkok from around the country in the reign of King Rama the First (1782 – 1809). In 1955, during its relocation, its plaster broke, revealing the golden sheen!
Buddha of the Sukhothai Kingdom
👆1. The body of the Golden Buddha is 40% gold. Face and neck – 80%. And the hair and crown, 99% gold. Five and a half tons of it! It is possible to dismantle the idol into nine pieces, using a key. This key was found hidden in plasterwork. The Buddha sits on a pedestal in a traditional folded-leg pose, typical of the Sukhothai style. His broad shoulders and elongated earlobes depict his former position as a prince.
👆2. The outer courtyard has two large bells. Devotees ring them before entering the temple. Belief is, ringing the bell wards off evil.
The Wat Traimit Complex
👆3. The Phra Maha Mondop (Most important Chapel) at Wat Traimit is three-storeys tall. The first floor houses the Chinatown Museum. On the second floor are exhibits about the history of the Golden Buddha. Important: The temple remains closed on Mondays; on other days, it open from 8 am to 5 pm.
👆4. Wat Traimit was an insignificant pagoda in the Chinatown district of Bangkok. Before the discovery of Buddha’s true identity and building of the grand temple, the idol remained in a tin shed for almost 20 years.
Imposing and opulent, Wat Traimit stands tall amongst other temples in Bangkok as it holds the largest golden idol of Buddha anywhere in the world.
