Significance of Wat Pho at the International Level

(17/11/2012)

Known among foreigners as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho in Thailand is attracting visitors from all over the world. The temple's official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon, located on Sanam Chai Road, next to the Grand Palace on the south side. Wat Pho, a major temple under royal patronage, was built in the reign of King Phetracha, who ruled the Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1688 to 1703. It was formerly called Wat Photharam. But the temple is popularly called Wat Pho, in short. During the Thon Buri period, King Taksin the Great upgraded Wat Pho to a royal temple. Wat Pho underwent a major renovation during the reign of King Rama I of the Bangkok period. The King renamed it Wat Phra Chetuphon, which was recognized later as the temple commemorating the First Reign. In 1830, the temple was renovated again at the royal command of King Rama III, who intended to turn this temple into a major source of knowledge for all people, regardless of their social status. King Rama III ordered the collection of knowledge from wise men and the collection of arts and sciences on various subjects, such as traditional medicine, archeology, literature, and poetry. These subjects were inscribed on thousands of stone tablets on the walls and columns of cloisters around the temple. Soon Wat Pho became the first "open university" in Thailand, and it is now recognized as a center for traditional Thai massage, where people can learn techniques of various natural remedies for health. Since the inscriptions at Wat Pho contain universal knowledge, which is useful not only to Thailand but also the world at large, they are considered invaluable treasures that must be preserved for humankind. Because of the great value of the inscriptions at Wat Pho, many people share the view that they should be recognized internationally. The Thai National Memory of the World Program submitted the Epigraphic Archives of Wat Pho for listing on the Memory of the World International Register in January 2011. The 10th meeting of the International Advisory Committee for the Memory of the World Program of UNESCO, held in May 2011 in Manchester, England, agreed to register the epigraphic archives as a Memory of the World, as proposed by Thailand. The significance of Wat Pho at the international level involves traditional medicine, natural remedies for health, and massage in Thai yoga texts. The temple welcomes about 10,000 Thai and foreign visitors every day. It is also famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. The Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho is a Buddha image of the early Bangkok period. It is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. The gold-plated Reclining Buddha is enshrined in the hall within the monastic area to the northwestern corner of the temple. It is recognized as one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand. US President Barrack Obama is scheduled to vist Wat Pho at about 4:00 p.m. on 18 November 2012 during his visit to Thailand.