Temple of the Golden Buddha
Many years ago a huge Buddha image was transfered to the compound of the Wat Trimitr from an abandoned monastery in downtown Bangkok. On May 25th, 1953, the image crashed to the ground when the hook of the crane holding it broke under the strain.During that night, a thunderstorm raged over Bangkok. Torrents of rain fell on the cracked plaster of the giant Buddha image.
Following the rains,the abbot of Wat Trimitr undertook to clean the image,which was not only cracked,but was also covered with mud and dirt. While cleaning the Buddha image, the abbot saw glittering metal through one of the large cracks. He called other monks, the plaster was removed, and undereath was found a Buddha image of solid gold!
The Golden Buddha is 3 metres high and weighs 5.5 tons. It was one of two images left in the abandoned Wat PhyaKrai when the monastery area was taken over as part of a project to expand Bangkok's port facilities. The other image was taken to an up-country monastery. The larger image was moved with difficulty to Wat Trimitr. There was no building large enough for the image, and it was placed under a temporary shelter in a quiet corner of the monastery compound. Then came the events of May 25th, 1953. After that,the Golden Buddha was put inside the Wat Trimitr.
There is still some mystery about the origin of the Golden Buddha image, but it was probably cast during the Sukhothai period(1238-1378 A.D.). It is conjectured that the image was covered with plaster to conceal its true value from invading and looting armies.
Following the rains,the abbot of Wat Trimitr undertook to clean the image,which was not only cracked,but was also covered with mud and dirt. While cleaning the Buddha image, the abbot saw glittering metal through one of the large cracks. He called other monks, the plaster was removed, and undereath was found a Buddha image of solid gold!
The Golden Buddha is 3 metres high and weighs 5.5 tons. It was one of two images left in the abandoned Wat PhyaKrai when the monastery area was taken over as part of a project to expand Bangkok's port facilities. The other image was taken to an up-country monastery. The larger image was moved with difficulty to Wat Trimitr. There was no building large enough for the image, and it was placed under a temporary shelter in a quiet corner of the monastery compound. Then came the events of May 25th, 1953. After that,the Golden Buddha was put inside the Wat Trimitr.
There is still some mystery about the origin of the Golden Buddha image, but it was probably cast during the Sukhothai period(1238-1378 A.D.). It is conjectured that the image was covered with plaster to conceal its true value from invading and looting armies.
