Buddha's WORD

Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.

Nothing is permanent.

On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best refreshment on the journey; and it is the greatest property.

The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth: 1.) not going all the way; and 2.) not starting.

You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself.

Phra Katha Chinabunchorn Mantra

This is the greatest Katha mantra of all, Which Somdej To receive from an old scroll from Sri Lanka. The meaning of this Katha is great blessings and a chant for praying.

http://www.buddhanet.net/mp3/thai_chants/chin.wma


1) Cha Ya Sa Na Ka Tha , Puttha Chay Ta Wa MarRung SaWa HarNung , Jattu Sutja SaPung Rasunk Yay Pivingsu Na Ra Sa Pa

2) Tun Hung Ga Ra Ta Yo Putta AudTaVee SaThi NaYaGa , SupPay PaThidTiTar MaiHung Mud Ta Gay Tay Muss Nis Sa Ra

3) See Say PaThiThidToh MaiHung Puttho Dhummo TaViLoJaNay , Sunkho PaThiThidToh MaiHung AuRay Sappa KuNaGaRo

4) HaTaYay May ArNuRutTho SareePutTho Ja TukKhiNay , GohnTunYo PhidThiPar KusSaMing MokKunLaNo Ja Wa Mar Gay

5) TukKhiNay SaWaNay MaiHung ArSoong ArNunTaRaHuLo , GusSaPo Ja MaHaNaMoh AuPaSoong WaMaSoTaGay

6) GaySunTay PhidThiPar KusSaMing , SuRiYo Wa PaPungGaRo , NiSinNo SiRiSumPunNo , SoPiTo MuNi PoongKaWo

7) GuMarLa GusSaPoh TayRo , MaHaySee JitTa Wa Ta Go , So MaiHung WaTaNay NidJung , PhaThidThaSi KuNaGaRo

8) PoonNo AungKuLiMarLoJa AuParLee NunTaSeeWaLee , TayRa PunJa E May ChaTa NaLaTay ThiLaGar Ma Ma

9) SaySarSeeThi MaHaTayRa ViShiTar ChiNaSaWaGa , A Tay SeeThi MaHaTayRa ChiTaWunTo ChiNoRaSa , ChaLunTar SeeLaTayChayNa AungKaMungKaySu SunThiTar

10) RaTaNung PuRaTo ArSi , TukKiNay MetTaSootTaGung , TaChakKung PudShaTo ArSi , WaMay AungKuliMarLaGung

11) CunTaMoRa PaRitTunJa , ArTar NarThiYa SoodTaGung , ArGarSay ShaTaNung ArSi , SaySar PaGarRaSunThiTar

12) Chi NaNa WaRaSunkYootTha , SudTupPaGarRa LungGaTar , WaTaPidTa ThiSunChaTa , ParHeRutChaShutTu PudTaWa

13) ArSaySar ViNaYung YunTu , ArNunTa ChiNaTayChaSar , WaSaTo May SaGitJayNa , SaTar SumPutThaPunChaRay

14) ChiNaPunChaRa MutChumaHe ViHaRunTung MaHee TaLay, SaTa PaLenTu Mung SupPay Tay MaHaPuRiSarSaPar

15) ItJayWaMunTo SuKootTo SuRukKho , CheNarNuParWayNa CheTuPudTaWo , DhumMaNuParWayNa CheTarReSunkKho , SunkKaNuParWayNa CheTunTaRaYo , SudDhumMarNuParWa Parrithtoh JaRaMi ChiNa Pun Cha Ray Thi

Rahu Amulet

Recently someone from London ask me for an amulet/statue of Rahu, sorry for the delay as I've checked thru my place and I realised that I've ran out of them, in fact I don't usually rent them except the few I've got from the temple, but I've given out three to someone who needs them.

I felt bad because I knew he really needs one as he is feeling very down lately and had been having dreams of Rahu. Fate brought him to me but I'm not able to help him and suddenly I heard a voice telling me to check the locker of my office! YES! I've got one mini statue there!Phew! I was like "WOW, RAHU heard my prayers'!

Galbraith, if you are reading my blog, this is to tell you Rahu will be there for you. I'll be sending them out by tomorrow hopefully you will receive HIM soon and I hope you will treasure the statue. Please note that I'm not any dealer, this statue is given to you FOC, no string attached. The day if you think you do not needs HIM, please write to me and I'll provide you my address to send back to me.

**Note: For those who needs any Rahu amulet/statue, I'm sorry to say that this is the last Rahu statue I had, so I won't be able to give to anyone, anymore. Should you need, maybe you can go to Wat Srisathong, Thailand to rent it.

2010 年谁该拜太岁

何时拜太岁？

立春日：己丑年十二月二十一日

阳历：4/2/2010（星期四）

时间：06:00（卯时）就可以祭拜

谁该拜太岁？

犯太岁~~虎 13 25 37 49 61 73 85 岁

冲太岁~~猴 19 31 43 55 67 79 91 岁

偏冲太岁~~猪 16 28 40 52 64 76 88 岁

刑冲太岁~~蛇 10 22 34 46 58 70 82 岁

As per requested by Reader, Rebecca a English Version of the above.

When is the best time to Pray Tai Sui

4th February 2010 ( According to Lunar calendar, it's the beginning of SPRING)

Timing: From 0600hr

Horoscope for those who need to pray Taisui

Tiger ~~ Age 13 25 37 49 61 73 85

Monkey~~ 19 31 43 55 67 79 91

Pig~~ 16 28 40 52 64 76 88

Snake~~ 10 22 34 46 58 70 82

INFO- Candy containing Beef gelatin

I noted that many people love to buy candy as an offering to Buddhas ( Guanyin, Ganesha, 土地公etc). Do note that the above "Fruit Plus Chewy candy" contains Beef Gelatin. As a general rule, followers of Hindusim, Buddhism DO NOT eat Beef, therefore the next time when you buy any candy for offering, do read up the ingredient before you make your purchase.

Gentle Reminder

Those who offended Tai Sui for year 2009 and had seek his "protection", please remember to return back to the temple which you went to during the chinese new year period for the prayer session, which is known as "Xie Tai Sui". Kindly do it before 22/12/2009. Most temple will require you to bring along 5 oranges an a bottle of prayer oil, but i'm sure they too will have prepared the item, so just go to the temple and tell them you are there for " Xie Tai Sui".

那些在年头因为犯/冲/刑太岁而去庙宇拜的人士，请记得在冬至前〔22/12/2009）前往庙宇去谢太岁。

Rahu In Geylang Temple

A cosy corner at the Temple for Rahu!

Rahu Birthday In Penang

**Credit- 翻拍自风采杂志

Rahu's Birthday

又一年了,又到了供奉RAHU的日子了,最近有人问我到哪里可以拜RAHU,我说新加坡GEYLANG LOR 9 就有一尊很壮观的RAHU,让人们去拜. BEDOK 的 PALEILAI 庙也行.如果是在马来西亚,那么就得到槟城去.最近在一份杂志上看到每年的12月5日在那里都会有特别的仪式让信徒们供奉RAHU. 清一色的黑色供品,黑香,黑蜡烛,不同的种族,来自各国的信徒们都在这一天特别赶到那里去祈愿,还愿.因为人们相信RAHU 是不败之神,没有任何对手和挫折可以击败他,他专门帮人们解除小人诡计和带来好运,还能招来财富,是很多泰国人供奉的神明之一. 在槟城的这家店,在6-7年前从WATＳＲＩＳＡＴＨＯＮＧ请来ＲＡＨＵ，就马上引起人们拜ＲＡＨＵ的热潮，每年的这一天至少会有３０００多名信徒参与盛会，场面是多么壮观的．

＊＊ＲＡＨＵ的地位，在华人社会等同于太岁，也有人称他为天狗或黑暗之神，他是２８星宿中排行第８的天神．传说古时，创世神柏依算创造神仙时，无意中创造了ＲＡＨＵ，他法力强大，性格却非常古怪，喜欢独来独往，好斗，所以经常和其他神仙斗法，喜欢黑色的东西．

It's the day for Rahu, A day for celebration. In Georgetown Penang, devotees celebrate Rahu's birthday on 5th December. As many as 3000 people from different parts of Malaysia & Singapore went there for the celebration. This year I will go to Geylang Lorong 9 for rahu's prayer and as usual i'll prepare the 8 items for HIM. Can't wait for the Big day!

Year of Pig: Phra That Doi Tung Stupa, Chiang Rai

Phra That Doi Tung stupa is situated on top of a high hill, where some hill tribes live.



It is believed that the stupa was built in the reign of King Achuttarat of Yonok Nakphan to house the Buddha’s relics (left collarbones), as previously predicted by the Buddha himself. Before the building of the stupa, the King ordered a Tung (Lanna- styled flag) with the length of 2,000 meters to be made.

The Tung was placed on top of the hill and the King would build the stupa where the Tung was blown to. He bought lands from the people there with gold, and ordered 500 families to take care of the Buddha’s relics. Later on in the reign of King Mangrai, a monk, Phra Maha Wachira Phothithera, offered 50 pieces of the Buddha’s relics to the King. As a result, King Mangrai built another stupa near the old stupa to house these relics.
Some legends relate that the name Doi Tung derived from when Phra Maha Kassapa (a disciple of the Buddha) placed a Tung with the length of 14,000 meters on top of the hill. The Phra That Doi Tung stupa has been restored many times. The last time was in 1970 by which the original shape of the stupa was changed. The stupa is a place of worship for the Lanna people, Tai Yai people, as well as people from Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Every full moon night of the third lunar month there’s a ceremony to worship the stupa.
Location -Tambon Huai Krai, Mae Fa Luang district, Chiang Rai
Getting there
By Car -From Bangkok use highway no. 1 to Wang Noi district, Ayutthaya and then no.32 to Nakhon Sawan. After that, turn right to highway no. 117 to Phitsanulok and then take highway no. 11 to Phrae. Use highway no. 101 to Rong Kwang district and turn left to highway no. 103, which will meet highway no. 1 at Ngao district, Phayao, and go straight to Chiang Rai. The distance from Bangkok is 804 km. Once in Chiang Rai, use highway no. 1 to Mae Sai district through Mae Chan district. Once you reach the 870th km. turn left to highway no. 1149 which goes up to Doi Tung (17 km.).

Saying Goodbye can be so difficult!

I didn't expect myself to be so emotional when i send a friend off back to india, Never did I expect it's so hard to say Goodbye. I remembered 6 years ago, when he first arrived in Singapore, I was there, buying him lots of veggie and food stuff which I'm not too sure if he likes and now 6 years later I'm there to say goodbye to him.

Sampath, Thanks for everything and all the effort during the time when you are serving Rahu and I believe even if you are faraway from Rahu, you will still be as devoted and Always remember, Rahu will be there to guide and bless you, Always!

I know you will be reading this when you got home, Once again, Thank you for all the moment we had spend together working for Rahu and also all the best to you.

Year of Pig: Phra That Doi Tung Stupa, Chiang Rai

Phra That Doi Tung stupa is situated on top of a high hill, where some hill tribes live.

It is believed that the stupa was built in the reign of King Achuttarat of Yonok Nakphan to house the Buddha’s relics (left collarbones), as previously predicted by the Buddha himself. Before the building of the stupa, the King ordered a Tung (Lanna- styled flag) with the length of 2,000 meters to be made.
The Tung was placed on top of the hill and the King would build the stupa where the Tung was blown to. He bought lands from the people there with gold, and ordered 500 families to take care of the Buddha’s relics. Later on in the reign of King Mangrai, a monk, Phra Maha Wachira Phothithera, offered 50 pieces of the Buddha’s relics to the King. As a result, King Mangrai built another stupa near the old stupa to house these relics.
Some legends relate that the name Doi Tung derived from when Phra Maha Kassapa (a disciple of the Buddha) placed a Tung with the length of 14,000 meters on top of the hill. The Phra That Doi Tung stupa has been restored many times. The last time was in 1970 by which the original shape of the stupa was changed. The stupa is a place of worship for the Lanna people, Tai Yai people, as well as people from Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Every full moon night of the third lunar month there’s a ceremony to worship the stupa.
Location -Tambon Huai Krai, Mae Fa Luang district, Chiang Rai
Getting there
By Car -From Bangkok use highway no. 1 to Wang Noi district, Ayutthaya and then no.32 to Nakhon Sawan. After that, turn right to highway no. 117 to Phitsanulok and then take highway no. 11 to Phrae. Use highway no. 101 to Rong Kwang district and turn left to highway no. 103, which will meet highway no. 1 at Ngao district, Phayao, and go straight to Chiang Rai. The distance from Bangkok is 804 km. Once in Chiang Rai, use highway no. 1 to Mae Sai district through Mae Chan district. Once you reach the 870th km. turn left to highway no. 1149 which goes up to Doi Tung (17 km.).

Year of Dog: Wat Ket Ka Ram Temple, Chiang Mai

For those born in the year of Dog, their place of worship is the Phra Ket Keo Chulamani stupa in the Tavatimsa Heaven, where the Buddha’s relics (his teeth) are kept by God Indra. These relics were once stolen by a Brahmin during the time the Buddha’s relics were divided and given to different Kings, but they were retrieved by God Indra. Since men can’t go to the Phra Ket Keo Chulamani stupa, they can worship the stupa at Wat Ket Ka Ram temple, whose name has the same meaning as the first. This temple is located on the bank of the Ping River in an international commercial area.

It is believed that the temple was built by a King, Phaya Sam Fang Kaen, in 1428, but the stupa collapsed in 1578. King Sutho built a new stupa in the Ceylonese-Lanna style. The temple also has a big hall built in the Rattanakosin period and a folk museum (opening time 08.00-16.00 hrs).

Location - Ban Wat Ket, Charoenrat Road, Mueang district, Chiang Mai

Getting there
By Car -From Bangkok use highway 32 to Nakhon Sawan and then highway no.1 passing through Tak and Lampang. Then use highway no. 11 to Chiang Mai. The distance is about 700 km. Once in Chiang Mai, cross the Nawarat bridge and turn left to Charoenrat Road. Go down the road for 500 meters. The temple is on your right.

Year of Chicken, Phra That Hariphunchai Stupa, Lamphun

Phra That Hariphunchai stupa has been with the city of Lamphun since the ancient time.

Legend has it that once the Buddha visited the land of the Meng. There, the King of Naga (mythical serpent) and the King of crow, came to wait on him. A man offered the Buddha a myrobalan fruit, and the Buddha predicted that there was going to be a city called “Hariphunchaiburi” there.

At that place there would be “Phra Suwan Chedi” (meaning a golden stupa) housing many different parts of the Buddha’s relics. The two kings asked for the Buddha’s hair strand and put it in a wooden tube inside a crystal container. It was kept in the cave the Buddha once resided. In 877, a palace was built on top of that cave. King Athittayarat of Hariphunchai wanted to use a bathroom inside the palace but there were crows preventing him from doing so. It was known later that the Buddha’s relics were kept there so the palace was abolished and the relics taken out from the cave to be worshipped. The King built a golden stupa to house the relics. The stupa had constantly been restored by the Kings of Lanna. The last restoration was done in the reign of King Tilokkarat of Chiang Mai about 500 years ago.

In the temple grounds, there are also Phra Suwan Chedi, one of the first stupas in Hariphunchai art style; Chiang Yan Chedi, an ancient stupa with five tiers; and a bell tower, for instance. On the 13th night of the waxing moon of the 6th lunar month every year, the relics bathing ceremony is conducted. Water used during this ceremony is to be taken only from a holy water well on top of a hill outside the city.

Location - 335 Intayongyot Road, Mu 1, Tambon Nai Mueang, Mueang district, Lamphun

Getting there
By Car-From Bangkok use highway No. 1 and then highway no. 32 to Nakhon Sawan. Then take highway No. 1 passing through Khamphaeng Phet to Lampang. From there take highway no. 11 to Lamphun. The distance from Bangkok is 670 km.

Year of Monkey: Phra That Phanom Stupa, Nakhon Phanom

Phra That Phanom stupa, the religious heart of the Thais and Laotians along the Khong River, houses part of the Buddha’s relics (his chest bones), which his disciple, Phra Maha Kassapa Thera, kept on top of the Phu Kamphra hill.

Legend has it that the stupa was built jointly by five kings and that the decoration on the stupa was done by God Indra. The brick plates depicting ancient kings made by local artists can de dated back to the Dvaravati period (around 8th –10th Century AD). It is one of the oldest stupas in Northeast Thailand.

Phra That Phanom stupa had been restored and taken under royal patronage by successive Kings of the Lan Xang Kingdom. In 1680-1682, a monk, Phra Khru Pon Samet, brought 3,000 men from Vientiane, Laos, to restore and heighten the stupa to the form favored by the people of the Northeast. In 1940, the Government restored and heightened the stupa one more time. On 11 August 1975, the stupa collapsed due to heavy rainstorm, but it was once again restored to completion in 1979. There is a well inside the temple, which is one of the seventh wells around the country, whose water has been used during coronation ceremonies of King Rama VI, VII, VIII, and the present King. The annual Phra That Phanom stupa celebration is from the 10th night of the waxing moon until the 1st night of the waning moon of the 3rd lunar month.

Location -Chayangkun Road, Ban That Phanom, That Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom

Getting there
By Car -From Bangkok take highway No. 1 to Saraburi. Change to highway no. 2 at the 107th km. Go to Khon Kaen through Nakhon Ratchasima. Turn to highway no. 213 passing through Kalasin to Sakon Nakhon. Then, take highway no. 22 to Nakhon Phanom. The distance from Bangkok is about 760 km. Once in Nakhon Phanom, drive along highway no. 212 for another 50 km.

Year of Goat: Phra That Doi Suthep Stupa, Chiang Mai

Phra That Doi Suthep stupa is situated on top of the Doi Suthep hill.

In 1373, King Kue Na of Lanna invited a monk from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai. The monk, Phra Sumon Thera, brought with him a piece of the Buddha’s relics found at the city of Pang Cha. This relic performed a miracle by multiplying into two pieces. One relic was kept at the Wat Buppharam temple. King Kue Na placed another relic on a holy elephant and asked the elephant to find a place to house the relic. The elephant walked up to the top of the Doi Suthep hill; cried three times; walked in circle three times and fell dead there. As a result, the King built a stupa to house the relic there.
In 1538, King Phra Mueang Ket Klao restored and enlarged the stupa to its present-day state. It is believed that worshipping the stupa from all four cardinal directions will improve a person’s intelligence. In the past, on Visakhabucha day, people will make a pilgrimage to the stupa.

Location - Mueang district, Chiang Mai

Getting there
By Car -From Bangkok take highway no. 32 to Nakhon Sawan and then take highway no. 1 passing through Tak to Lampang. After that take highway no. 11 to Chiang Mai. The distance from Bangkok is around 700 km. Once in Chiang Mai, drive along Huai Keo road to Doi Suthep hill.

Year of Horse: Swedagon Pagoda, Myanmar and Wat Phra Borommathat Stupa, Tak

Those who were born in the year of horse can pay homage to the Phra Borommathat stupa in Tak instead of the Swedagon pagoda in Myanmar. Phra Khru Phitak, a chief monk at the Wat Phra Borommathat temple, built a stupa replicating the Swedagon pagoda over the original Phra Borommathat stupa.

It is believed that when the Buddha visited Tak, he arrived at the Mahiyangka hill where he gave his hair strand to his disciples. He asked them to keep his hair strand at that place after he entered nirvana. This temple is the place where the Buddha’s hair strand has been enshrined. On the 14th night of the waxing moon and the full moon night of the 7th lunar month every year, there is a celebration to pay homage to the Buddha’s relics.

Location - Mu 3, Ban Tha Phra That, Tambon Ko Tapao, Ban Tak district, Tak

Getting there
By Car-From Bangkok, drive along highway 32 to Nakhon Sawan and then highway no.1 to Tak. The distance from Bangkok is about 425 km. From Tak, take highway no. 1107 along the west bank of the Ping River for about 35 km. and turn left to highway no. 1175. Go straight on for another 1 km. before reaching the temple.

Year of Snake: Bodhi three at Wat Photharam Mahawihan Temple, Chiang Mai

Bodhi tree is important to Buddhists because the Buddha attained enlightenment under such tree.

Lanna people still believe that Bodhi is sacred and can eliminate suffering. There is a tradition to offer props to Bodhi trees for support, along with other things.

For those born in the year of snake, their place of worship is the Bodhi tree at Buddhagaya in India. If that is not possible, they can also worship Bodhi trees in any temples. The Wat Photharam Mahawihan temple is a significant temple where the 8th world semimar on the revision of the Tripitaka took place.

King Tilokkarat who built the temple brought Bodhi trees from Sri Lanka to be planted there, and the Great Seven Places where the Buddha resided before the propagation of his teaching were demonstrated there.
The temple’s principal stupa was a replica of the Buddhagaya Chedi. The outer facade of the stupa’s base is decorated with beautiful stuccoed designs.

Location - Superhighway Road, Mueang district, Chiang Mai

Getting there
By Car- From Bangkok drive along highway no. 32 to Nakhon Sawan, then take highway no. 1 passing through Tak and Lampang. After that use highway no. 11 to Chiang Mai. The distance from Bangkok is 700 km. Once in Chiang Mai go down the Chang Pueak road to the Superhighway intersection. Turn left and go straight for 600 meters. The temple is on your right.

PRAYER FOR FREEDOM FROM SUFFERING

May all beings everywhere plagued

with sufferings of body and mind

quickly be freed from their illnesses.

May those frightened cease to be afraid,

and may those bound be free.

May the powerless find power,

and may people think of befriending each other.

May those who find themselves in trackless,fearful wilderness--

the children, the aged, the unprotected--

be guarded by beneficent celestials,

and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

~~The Buddha

Year of Dragon: Phra Phuttha Si Hing, Wat Phra Sing Temple, Chaing Mai

Phra Phuttha Si Hing is one of the most significant Buddha images of Chiang Mai.

It is believed to have originated around 2nd Century AD in present day Sri Lanka and had been transferred from one city to another until finally reached Chiang Mai in 1440 in the reign of Phaya Saen Mueang. At first the image was meant to be housed in a temple called Wat Buppharam, but when its carriage passed Wat Phra Sing temple (known as Wat Lee Chiang Phra then), the carriage could not be moved further.

As a result, the Buddha image has been housed in this temple since. In 1520, a King of Lanna, Phra Mueang Keo, built a temple hall called “Wihan Lai Kham” to house the image. This temple hall contains mural paintings depicting a folk tale, done by Lanna artists, and a story from the past lives of the Buddha, done by artists from Central Thailand, from the period of King Rama V.

During the Songkran festival of every year, Phra Phuttha Si Hing is taken in a procession around the city so that people can join the bathing ceremony.
Location - Sam Lan Road, Mueang district, Chiang Mai

Getting there
By CarFrom Bangkok, take highway no. 32 to Nakhon Sawan and then take highway no. 1 passing through Tak and Lampang. Then take highway no. 11 to Chiang Mai. The distance is 700 km.

Sharing

The great Buddhist sage Nagarjuna said:

If there is a remedy when trouble strikes,

What reason is there for despondency?

And if there is no help for it,

What is the use of being sad?

So come what may,

I'll never harm My cheery happiness of mind.

Depression never brings me what I want;

My virtue will be warped and marred by it.

Wat Phra That Chae Haeng ( Rabbit Temple) Chiangmai

Wat Phrathat Chae Haeng is a sacred place of worship, situated on a mound on the eastern side of the Nan River, at the former centre of the Nan town after moving from Pua town.

Wat Phra Borommathat Chae Haeng was constructed during the rule of Chao Phraya Kanmueang (the Feudal Lord of Nan during 1326 – 1359) as an enshrining venue of 7 Buddha relics, silver and golden votive tablets presented by King Maha Thammaracha Lithai on the occasion that Chao Phraya Kanmueang assisted in the construction of Wat Luang Aphai (Wat Pa Mamuang in Sukhothai Province at present) in 1354.

It features a chedi in a bell shape. The pattern of Phrathat Chae Haeng is assumed to have been influenced by the chedi of Phrathat Hariphunchai. It is plated with Thong Changko or Thong Dok Buap – a combination of brass and copper. The staircase up to the Phrathat is in a Naga shape, while the gable above the entrance gate to the wihan is the stucco relief depicting intertwined Nagas, the unique characteristic of Nan fine art.

Phra Borommathat Chae Haeng represents the Year of the Rabbit.

Lanna people believe that travelling to pay respect to the Phrathat of their Year of Birth or “Chu That” would reap them great results.
Tourists can visit the temple everyday from 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
To get there: Wat Phrathat Chae Haeng is located in Muang Tuet sub-district, King Amphoe Phu Phiang. From the centre of Mueang district, cross the Nan River Bridge and go along the Nan – Mae Charim route or on Highway No. 1168 for 3 kilometres.
Birth Year: 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915

**Nan is a city in Northern Thailand. It is located some 668 km north of Bangkok

TWENTY-FOUR BRAND-NEW HOURS ~~By Thich Nhat Hanh

Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift!

We have the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and others. Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. The Question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We don't have to travel far away to enjoy the blue sky.
We don't have to leave our city or even our neighborhood to enjoy the eyes of a beautiful child. Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy. We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive at the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive.

Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment. ...

Year of Tiger: Phra That Cho Hae Stupa, Phrae

Phra That Cho Hae is located on top of a small hill. Judging from its architectural style, the temple can be dated back to the 14th Century.

However, it is believed that when the Buddha reached a hill called Kosithaya Chakkhabanphot, he met a Laotian prince named Lua Ai Khon. The prince offered food to the Buddha. The Buddha then predicted that there was going to be a city called Phrae there. Then, the Buddha’s disciples asked the Buddha for his hair strand, and gave it to the prince to be housed in a crystal container. The container was kept in a cave east of the hill. The Buddha stated that after his nirvana the relics of his left elbow would be kept there.

The name of the stupa was believed to have originated from the silk cloth (Cho Phrae in Thai) the prince used to accept the hair strand. Some also believed that the name was originated from silk cloths wrapped around the stupa. A big celebration of the Buddha’s relics is held annually on the 11th night of the waxing moon to the full moon night of the 4th lunar month. This important festival consists of the Tung (Lanna-styled flags) procession as well as other performances.

Location - Mu 5, Tambon Pa Daeng, Muaeng district, Phrae

Getting there
By Car From Bangkok use highway no. 1 and then no. 32 to Nakhon Sawan. Then take highway no. 117 to Phitsanulok, and highway no. 11 heading to Uttaradit. Once you reach Den Chai district, Phrae, take highway 101 to Phrae. The journey is about 580 km.

Death and the impermanence of life

Death and the impermanence of life
In the teaching of the Buddha, all of us will pass away eventually as a part in the natural process of birth, old-age and death and that we should always keep in mind the impermanence of life. The life that we all cherish and wish to hold on.
To Buddhism, however, death is not the end of life, it is merely the end of the body we inhabit in this life, but our spirit will still remain and seek out through the need of attachment, attachment to a new body and new life. Where they will be born is a result of the past and the accumulation of positive and negative action, and the resultant karma (cause and effect) is a result of ones past actions.
This would lead to the person to be reborn in one of 6 realms which are; heaven, human beings, Asura, hungry ghost, animal and hell. Realms, according to the severity of ones karmic actions, Buddhists believe however, none of these places are permanent and one does not remain in any place indefinitely. So we can say that in Buddhism, life does not end, merely goes on in other forms that are the result of accumulated karma. Buddhism is a belief that emphasizes the impermanence of lives, including all those beyond the present life. With this in mind we should not fear death as it will lead to rebirth.
The fear of death stemmed from the fear of cease to be existent and losing ones identity and foothold in the world. We see our death coming long before its arrival, we notice impermanence in the changes we see around us and to us in the arrival of aging and the suffering due to losing our youth. Once we were strong and beautiful and as we age, as we approach our final moments of life we realize how fleeting such a comfortable place actually was.
Grieving
It is natural to grieve the loss of family members and others we knew, as we adjust to living without their presence and missing them as part of our lives. The death of a loved one, or even someone we were not close to, is terribly painful event, as time goes on and the people we know pass away along the journey of life, we are reminded of our own inevitable ends in waiting and everything is a blip of transience and impermanent.
At a certain moment, the world seems suddenly so empty and the sense of desperation appears to be eternity. The greater the element of grief and personal loss one tends to feel sorry for oneself.
Some of us may have heard the story of the women who came to the Buddha in great anguish, carrying her dead child pleading him to bring the child back to life. The Buddha said Bring to me a mustard seed from any household where no-one had ever died and I will fulfill your wish. The woman's attempt to search for such seed from houses were in vain and of course she could not find any household in which no-one had ever died and suddenly she realized the universality of death.

生命无常

人生苦短，生命无常，当一口气不来，生命即不再；而人既有生，则不免一死，死后往哪里去，我们不可不知，是往生极乐？或生天或堕地狱、或堕饿鬼、或沦为畜生或重返人间，无一不攸关此生所造之种种业果。

人生无疑是这个世界上最美丽，最珍贵无价的事物。然而人生于天地间，有如白驹过隙，忽然而已。生命有太多太多的美好，人们往往来不及去品尝，一生短短数十年，忽然间就已过了。只留下无穷的辛酸痛苦，无尽的悲伤遗憾。

佛说：生命在一呼一吸之间，可见生命其实就是这样的脆弱.

Year of Ox: Phra That Lampang Luang Stupa, Lampang

Phra That Lampang Luang temple is an ancient temple of Lampang province.

Legend has it that when the Buddha reached the Samphagariwan village, a man called Khon offered him honey and coconuts. The Buddha predicted that there would be a city called Lampang there, then he gave a strand of his hair to Khon, which was later kept in the Lampang Luang stupa. After the Buddha entered nirvana, some Buddhist monks brought part of his relics to be kept there. The stupa is situated in an ancient city, which is believed to have served solely religious purposes.

There are many attractions in the temple such as the Wihan Phra Phut, a beautifully decorated traditional Lanna style wooden temple hall, where people, when looking through a small hole on the Wihan’s wall, can see an impression of the stupa on a piece of cloth placed inside the hall. Wihan Nam Taem contains ancient Lanna mural paintings. Wihan Luang houses Phra Chao Lan Thong, a significant Buddha image of the temple, as well as mural paintings from the reign of King Rama V depicting the Buddha’s life and his past lives. The hall of the Buddha’s Footprint (Ho Phra Phutthabat) is another place where the stupa’s impression can be seen, but women are not allowed to enter this hall. Ho Keo houses Phra Keo, the most important Buddha image of Lampang, which was taken from the Phra Keo Don Tao Suchadaram temple.

Location541 Ban Lampang Luang, Ko Kha district, Lampang

Getting there
By CarFrom Bangkok drive along highway no. 32 to Nakhon Sawan. Then take highway no. 1 passing through Tak to Lampang (approx. 599 km.). From Lampang, take highway no. 1 heading to Thoen and turn right at the 586th km. to Ko Kha district. Then turn right to highway no. 1034. Go straight for about 3 km. and the temple is on your left.

Year of Rat: Phra That Si Chom Thong Stupa, Chiang Mai

This stupa is located on top of the Chom Thong hill. It houses part of the Buddha’s relics. The relics are not buried, but instead kept in a small pagoda inside the temple hall, so people can bathe them.

Legend has it that the Buddha once visited this hill and stated that this place would later house part of his relics. In 1452, Two people, Meng and Soi, found the Buddha’s relics, so they built a pagoda to house them at the Ton Thong hill. This temple was later known as the Chom Thong temple. Phra Mueng Keo, the 14th King of the Mang Rai dynasty (1495-1525) enlarged the temple, and many Kings of Chiang Mai arranged for processions of the relics to Chiang Mai to be worshipped. On the full moon nights of the third and seventh lunar months of every year, the relics are brought to the temple hall where people can bathe them. Traditionally, the water used during the ceremony are to be taken from a river and scented with sandalwood.
Location 157 Ban Luang, Tambon Ban Laung, Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai
Getting there
By Car From Bangkok, drive along highway no.32 to Nakhon Sawan. Then, take highway no.1 through Tak to Thoen district, Lampang. After that, use highway no. 106 heading to Lampoon. Before reaching Ban Hong district turn left to highway no. 1010 to Chom Thong district, this road will meet highway no. 108. Turn left and the temple is on your left.

南海观音

最近朋友的神坛(海洞坛~南海观音)有一些庆祝活动在进行,好象是观音诞,所以一连3天的庆祝活动, 我们也就友情帮忙了起来. 挺有意思的, 看见了一些道教的仪式和佛教是很不一样的, 看见他们大家一起合作,完成任务,互相帮忙,很佩服他们的凝聚力. 当然也要感谢那些出钱赞助"神袍"的人们.

基于好奇,就找了一些有关南海观音方面的资料.

南海观音-三面观音的释义

三面观音为一体的三尊造型佛像:

• 正面观音手持经箧
• 右面观音手持莲花
• 左面观音手持念珠

依次象征智慧、平安、仁慈.每一尊法相蕴含一种大智能及感应功能、能增福添慧、保佑平安。 正面的手持经箧观音，体现观音的般若德即智慧德性。经箧代表六百卷般若经，表示观音"白度度人，智悲双运"，既能自利、观理事无碍之境而了达自在，又有利他，观一切众生之机而化度自在，以般若启众生智慧。 左面的手持念珠观音，体现观音的解脱德，即彻底摆脱无明烦恼和种种束缚，达到大自由大自在的境界，表现"众生念佛，佛念众生"同等同体的慈精神。右面的手持莲花观音，体现观音的法身德。观音是密宋莲花部的本尊，莲花是观音的三味耶形，喻"常乐我净"四德；是佛门中的圣花，象征众生的肉团心，莲体清净，出淤泥而不染，根茎通心，象征"心佛众生，三无差别"。总体表示观音的清净和六根圆通。 观音圣像总体表示观音"大慈与一切众生乐，大悲拨一切众生苦"的大慈大悲形象。是"慈悲"、"智慧"与"和平"的精神象征。

Robes offering @ Wat Kancanarama

There will be a Robe offering ceremony at Kancanarama Buddhist Temple (Lorong Ong Lye) on 1/11/2009. All are welcome.

Thot Kathin — At the time of the Buddha, this observance was a part of Buddhist practice and sustenence. As an exercise of self-reliance and humility, monks would cut, sew, and dye the cloth that would be used for their robes. (Some monks in the forest still dye their own cloth by cutting wood chips from the trunk of a Jackfruit tree, boiling them, and then stirring in the cloth to dye it an orange/yellow color.) The finished robes were then offered to the members of the monkhood who were worthy and needy. Currently, people tend to purchase manufactured robes, pre-packaged goods (including necessities like toiletries, towels, and so on), and then offer them to the temples. The events surrounding Kathin may involve intensive fund raising for various purposes, such as adding to or finishing a temple building. The time of Kathin can last up to a month from end of the Rains Retreat to the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November).

Concern over monks' poor health

Tue, Oct 27, 2009The Nation/Asia News Network

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai told a meeting yesterday of 100 officials from hospitals and health agencies about results from a random survey last year on the health of 80,945 monks in all regions (out of 300,000 Buddhist monks and novices around the country).While 44 per cent of the monks were healthy, some 56 per cent, or 45,333 monks were found to be unhealthy, he said.About 31 per cent of those deemed unhealthy, or 24,937 monks, were sick, mostly from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and emphysema.Another 25 per cent, or 20,396 monks, were said to be at risk of falling ill, mostly from coronary heart disease and diabetes, he said.Witthaya affirmed that sick monks and novices could get medical treatment from state hospitals freeofcharge via the universal healthcare system.Bangkok also had the Priests Hospital, the world's only hospital specifically for monks and novices.He said the health of monks, and other groups, would be well taken care of, due to plans to have 9,000 tambonlevel hospitals promoting good health and the training of 970,000 officials and volunteers by the year 2012.Priests Hospital director Waraporn Phumsawat said 70 per cent of admissions last year were sick monks and novices from upcountry. Most suffered chronic diseases that needed constant medication, or their illness could cause them to die or become disabled.She said yesterday's meeting aimed to set up a system to safely transfer chronically ill monks between the Priests Hospital and hospitals in Bangkok and upcountry so they could get medication and rehabilitation near their temples.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%...27-176177.html

Buddhism in Thailand

The Thais are a deeply religious people. For the Buddhist majority it underlies all activities and is the backbone of the thai culture. 90% of the populations are Theravada Buddhist. Buddhist believes that existence called nibbana (nirvana).

Almost all Thais believe in reincarnation, hence they “make merit” by doing good deeds. Ways to make merit include giving money to beggars, bird releasing, becoming a novice in a temple for man in Thailand and giving food to monk who make their Alms round every morning.

There are 2 sects of Buddhist monks in Thailand, the orange robed Mahanikai and the stricter, more academic red-brown robed Thammayut who can only eat one meal a day (before noon), provided for them by those who wish to make merit. They are not allow to touch money.

Thais always requested service of monks for special occasion ie. New house, new car are blessed for good luck. For marriage, nine monks are invited to perform ritual and during a funeral, a group of monks are required to perform a 3days of chanting mantras.

There is no such thing as a good Buddhist or a bad Buddhist. Buddhism not only teaches tolerance, it practices it. It does not claim that other religions are false, it encourage you to make your own judgments ( not easy as human being always believe the more god/Buddha they follow, the better ‘protection” they have, so they choose to mixed different religion into one, which is ridiculous and disrespectful for the religions he believed )

There is no hard sell, and no requirement for monks to ‘Save’ a quota of souls. And either will it talk about using money can make you a different or better person.

In Thailand we call temple wats, a place exclusively Buddhist, as we know Buddhism originated from India, hence it natural that we can find Hindu God in a wat, but if a wat over-do it by allowing people to leave religious object to the wat , then a temple will be cluttered with religious bric-a-brac and it will become to much. It will lose its original meaning of a Wat.

僧人尸体不腐 挑战科学定律

最近在泰国南部仁廊府挽暖区樾挽暖佛寺发生一起奇特事件，该寺一位九十岁的高僧圆寂后被火化时尸体、袈裟不能被焚燬，令人称奇。此奇特现象经媒体披露后，再次引起各界对僧人身体出现的超自然现象的关注。
在东西方的历史记载中，高僧或是有修为的高德之士，出现肉身不腐的不乏其人，很多见诸报端。甚至有人历经许多年，依然颜状如生，有些甚至肉体还飘着澹澹的香气。按照科学定律，人的心跳一旦停止，体内细胞将因缺氧而在数分钟后死亡，所以，人体通常在死后数天开始腐烂。有分析指出，尸体不腐、甚至袈裟都不能被烧燬的现象对现代科学定律构成挑战。

泰南高僧火化尸体袈裟不毁 据《联合早报》报导，在泰国南部仁廊府挽暖区樾挽暖佛寺，高僧銮菩銮他嘛哇罗于今年十月十七日圆寂，享年九十岁，其火化仪式在十一月八日进行。在举行火化仪式的当天，天上连续下滂沱大雨，而到下午四点的时候，庙方将进行佛教诵经仪式时，大雨即时停下。佛教诵经仪式结束后，一部份虔诚信徒留下参加火化礼。火化礼在当晚九时进行，收尸老叟拿着装满汽油的加仑桶，把汽油淋在棺木上，然后点燃汽油，并开动风扇催促火力。大约在三十分钟过后，棺木及弔唁花等物被烈火化为灰烬，可是高僧的尸体却安然无恙、袈裟丝毫未受损，在场的众僧人啧啧称奇。众亲信及委员们立即下令终止火化，将高僧尸体换了一套新袈裟及另装入一副新棺木置放于大卧佛的佛堂内。
source- Udnbkk

San Phra Prom - ศาลพระพรหม(4 faced Buddha) Birthday

photo source- thailandfans.com

The Erawan Shrine (San Phra Prom - ศาลพระพรหม) located by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Phra Prom (Brahma) statue was enshrined at this location on November 9, 1956. The special ceremony is held on November 9 every year at this shrine, some people call this day as Phra Prom’s birthday

On this coming 9 November, monks will be at the venue at about 6am for some cermony and to give blessing to devotees.


11月9日是泰国四面佛誕的大日子，到时候将会有来自世界各地的信徒们聚集在曼谷一起参与盛会！

Address: 494 Rajdamri Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Hours: Daily dawn to 8pm
Cost: Free. Flowers and incense start at 20B.

Burmese Buddhist Temple 缅佛寺

This Burmese Temple is just oppsite the thai temple. It's doing some upgrading like building a pagoda and some renovation works around.

Ths is like a wishing well??? We try to throw the coins into container which was labelled "Health","luck","Money", "career", "Education"" Blissful Marriage". Seems easy, but not all of us managed to throw it in. (After rounds & rounds of coins, decided to give up and proceed to the main hall for Monk's blessing then i realized there's similiar container inside the hall, all u need to do is place your donation in any one of them, easy job!)
This temple looks much more "grand" then the Thai Temple, you may like to drop by when you go to Penang.

Kuan Yin @ Wat Chaiya Mangalaram

I'm just curious ? Is it rahu at the entrance to the Kuan Yin hall?

The Statue of Kuan Yin inside the hall.

Wat Chaiya Mangalaram

Sleeping Buddha at Penang

Rahu in Wat Chaiya Mangalaram, Penang

Rahu! I thought there will be surprised inside the Wat... But then... I couldn't find any Rahu Statue at all.

泰国9位僧皇

1. สมเด็จพระพุฒาจารย์ี (โต) (譯音)崇迪帕布祂瞻多(亞贊多)
   
2. สมเด็จพระพุทธปาพจนบดี (譯音)崇迪帕布祂巴婆甲哪巴滴


3. สมเด็จพระพุฒาจารย์ี (譯音)崇迪帕布祂瞻


4. สมเด็จพระมหาธีวาจารย์(譯音)崇迪帕嗎蛤梯哇瞻


5. สมเด็จพระมหารัชมังคลาจารย์(譯音) 崇迪帕嗎蛤喇差芒咖拉瞻


6. สมเด็จพระพุทธโฆษาจารย์(譯音) 崇迪帕布祂摳撒瞻


7. สมเด็จพระพุทธชินวงศ์(譯音)崇迪帕布祂勤那翁


8. สมเด็จพระมหาวีรวงศ์(譯音)崇迪帕嗎蛤威那翁


9. สมเด็จพระญาณวโรดม(譯音)崇迪帕央拿哇摟冬

Picture of Top Thai Monks

Luang Phor Sothon

According to legend, Luang Pho Sothon floated down the Bang Pakong River to the site of the temple(temple is situated on the west bank of the Bang Pakong River, 2 Kms. south of the city hall). Efforts to retrieve it were unsuccessful until a villager had a small shrine erected on the site and performed a ceremony welcoming the image to the community.

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang วัดพระธาตุลำปางหลวง

About 20 kilometers from Lampang is the old temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang.
On first glance, this walled citadel sited on a man-made mound of earth has a very fortress-like look to it. That's because the temple was built on the site of an eighth century fortification, called a wiang, that guarded the routes to Lampang.
The temple buildings seen today were built in the fifteenth century, and one of the reasons for the temple's popularity is the relatively pure state of all the temple buildings. Unlike most of the temples in Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang hasn't been 'improved' to conform to modern Thai ideas about temples.
The courtyard is still filled with sand, and the huge main wiharn (prayer hall) is still open on all sides.To enter the temple, you must pass a pair of guardian lions and climb the naga stairway up to the massive main gate. The main prayer hall, the Wiharn Luang, stands close inside the main entrance. The wiharn is open on all four sides, forming a huge covered hall. Sturdy columns support the roof.
The columns are finished in black lacquer and stenciled with gold leaf designs.At the back of the Wiharn Luang sits a massive gilded ku, a sort of Laotian prang sheltering the main Buddha image. The Buddha image is the Phra Chao Lang Thong, cast in 1563. On either side of the Ku are throne-like pulpits, sometimes used by monks but more often used to house other Buddha images on important ceremonial days. Behind the main prayer hall stands the 45 meter tall chedi. The chedi was faced with copper and bronze sheets, which over the centuries have oxidized into a variety of green and blue shades. The chedi has somehow escaped the gilding which is now universally applied to chedis, even if they weren't originally built that way.
Flanking the chedi on the south side is another prayer hall, the Wiharn Phra Phut, a small chapel built in 1802 with a beautifully carved fascade. Behind the Wiharn Phar Phut is a tiny tower-like structure, the Ho Phra Phuttabat. It houses a Buddha footprint sculpture. The building is generally only open on important festival dates, and may never be entered by women.Wat Phra That Lampang Luang was one of the Nine top Thai spots named by The Bangkok Post's online travel campaign.

Wat Paleilai

Phra Pitha

พระปิดตา（译音）帕必达，其中ปิดตา泰文的意思是闭眼或遮眼的意思 因此可以称之为闭眼佛或是遮眼佛，而泰国的遮眼佛有很多种类型 有双手遮眼的法相，也有四臂、六臂、或是布满经咒文如同皱纹般的法相 都是属於遮眼佛（必达佛），不同的译音只是外在的法相特徵不同而已
而必达佛的佛牌，是泰国民众普遍喜爱佩带的佛牌之一，据说佩带遮眼佛 可以帮信众挡掉很多不好的事情、麻烦、避灾挡险，能够保信众的平安 也能够帮信众招来很多很好的财运，因此必达佛也是泰国的致富佛像之一！

当帕必达在世时，几世之前就已经不断累积很多的福德资粮 。在其中一世，有许多僧侣与帕必达一起修行，结果没想到在某天夜晚时， 发生了洪水，眼看就要将他们灭顶。此时，佛陀赶紧命令帕必达前去 将水阻止不动，以免这些僧侣灭顶。因此当时有许多的天人和凡人们，
都因此信服他的能力，并对他非常敬仰。此外，在帕必达之前的一世中， 他常常用鲜花供养佛陀及许多的高僧。接著帕必达转世在另一世之後， 则生为一户养牛人家的孩子。早晨的时候，他常常看到高僧沿街托钵化缘後， 会在一个空地修行打坐。由於他看到高僧总在烈日下修行，想到这必然非常辛苦， 因此趁高僧不在时，为高僧搭起简单的棚子，让高僧在打坐时可以遮阳避雨， 他也因此累积很大的福德。因此在临命终时，得升天道；但他在生为天人後，
并未耽溺於天道的逸乐，反而常常广行佛事，不断地累积福德资粮。此後， 帕必达的法像就被制作为如今所看到的样子，象徵祂用手将六根遮住， 即眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意皆被遮止；以免受到这六根所对应到的六尘所扰， 此六尘则为外界的色、声、香、味、触、法，让人能谨记佛陀的教诲。

因此佛子佩带必达佛牌的时候，无论是在修行佛法 或是行事思考之时， 都能够让心念更加全 心专注，提升自己的思考层面；此外，在世俗上， 帕必达的法像亦被一般大众认为是挡灾避险的姿势，让人可以免於危难

Rahu temple

胡

Buddha With Sunglass

There is a small shrine in Maha Chai province Thailand, it is about 2 hours drive from Bangkok. The shrine is just next to a very busy fishing port where seamen load and unload their catch daily. There is a story why this particular Buddha is wearing sunglasses.

Luangpor Poo above is one special Buddha in Wat Krok Krak at Samutsakorn Province. The statue of Luangpor Poo actually floated along the large river bank nearby and a shrine was later enacted especally for him. Maha Chai used to be just a small fishing port but has now become a major and important place where business takes place. A man once went to Luangpor Poo and seeked for helped hoping that his life and business would improve. His wish was granted not too long and this faithful devotee actually went back to do thanks giving. He did what any normal devotee would by giving traditional offerings, before he left the temple he was asking himself what else has he not given to Luangpor Poo alas he found that he has a sunglass with him and he put it on the Buddha.I am not sure if this one here is true but someone actually removed the sunglasses from the buddha because he thought that it was disrespectful. Some people said that he became blinded after doing that and he went to replace the glasses back.

Luangpor Poo is also known to grant his devotees wishes qucikly and swiftly so if you want your wish to come true go pay Luangpor Poo a visit.

monks robes

The full set of Monk robes should consist of the following:

• 1 Undergarment, this is like a short sari1 main sari, this is the garment worn around the waist and over the shoulder


• 1 main belt, wide


• 1 woven belt. This is to secure the suit


• 1 under vest. This is a one shoulder vest so it fits all


• 1 gift mat. For placing of offering so people (esp women don't touch the monks)

For Thai Monk ~~ Bright Orange Robe

For Forest Monk ~~ Blown Robe

Paying Homage to the Lord Buddha's Left Footprint

Wat Phra Phuttha Bat Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan,Phra Phuttha Bat District, Saraburi Province

This is a Thai Buddhist belief, Lord Buddha's "Left Footprint" was probably discovered in the reign of King Song Tham. The stairways, which were constructed in the era of King Rama I consist of three paths, each of which is decorated with a Naga figure. Each path starts with a five headed naga named "Muchalin." From left to right, the 3 paths are supposed to represent silver, crystal and gold. People believe that a wish for money and gold will be granted if they climb silver and gold stairs respectively, and prestige and other endowments if they ascend the crystal stairs.

Wat Phraputthabat Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan is located in Tambon Khun Khlon, 28 kilometres north of the town, turn left and travel for one km before arriving in Phra Phutthabat district. The historical Lord Buddha's Footprint was found on a stone panel near Suwan Banpot Hill or Satchaphanthakhiri Hill.

Lord Buddha's Footprint measures 21 inches wide, 5 feet long, and 11 inches deep. The footprint was discovered during the reign of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. The footprint had 108 religious aspects, so he commanded a temporary Mondop be built to cover the footprint and it has been refurbished several times. The Mondop is a square building, has a seven-tier castle roof and each tier is covered with green glazed tiles. Each level is decorated with an arch supported by wood, gold and coloured glasses. The external walls are also decorated with gold and coloured glasses in the shapes of mythological gods and lotus top. The pearl inlaid artwork on the Mondop doors represent some of the best craftsmanship in the country. A five-headed Naga, cast in bronze, flanks the stairs. The Mondop is surrounded by bells, which visitors can ring to make merit. The surrounding Ubosot and Vihara were built according to the architectural styles of the Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin periods.

In the temple compound there is the Phra Phutthabat National Museum which displays various precious artifacts including King Songthams attire, ceramics, bronzeware, old weapons, a replica of Lord Buddha's footprint, an old Mondop top, Phat Yot (ecclesiastical fans) from various periods, and a pipe dating from the King Narai period.The Phra Phutthabat Festival is held twice a year, during the eighth day of the waxing moon until the first day of the waning moon in the third month and the fourth month of the lunar calendar.

Bo Phran Lang Nuea is a small stone well near the temple. At the mouth of the well are knee prints, there are stone slopes and a deep hole the size of a milk can near the well. The water that flows from the hole is believed to be holy water. According to legend, Bun, a hunter who found Lord Buddha's Footprint, washed game meat at this well, while kneeling down a small hole was made by his spear which pierced the ground. There is a continuous flow of water from the well.

Paying homage to Lord Buddha’s Footprint is a Buddhist festival that has been celebrated since the Ayutthaya period and is held between February and March. During the festival the temple opens daily from 6.00-19.00 hr. Buddhists come from around the world especially Chinese Buddhists who like to visit during the Chinese new year.

Rahu Statues

Night View of Wat Sri Sathong~Rahu

胡

Tak Bat Dok Mai Festival-The only festival of its kind in the world

Tak Bat Dok Mai is a Buddhist ceremony in which people offer flowers to the monks as a way of making merit, this ceremony is unique to Saraburi province. In addition to the offerings of cooked rice, food, incense, candles and other conventional sacred items, Tak Bat Dok Mai Ritual includes offerings of “Dok Khao Phansa” flowers that only come into bloom during the Buddhist Lent (Usually in July).

This important festival at Wat Phra Phutthabath has been a ritual of the Saraburi people and Buddhists for a long time. Since 2001 the period of the festival was extended from one to three days with two rounds of Making Merit, one each in the morning and afternoon, due to the increase in the number of participants from around the world.The morning of the first day is for religious rituals and to pay homage to the people of many generations. A re-enactment of the procession of King Songtham celebrates the discovery of lord Buddha's Footprint at Wat Phraphutthabat. The footprint was unearthed during the reign of King Songtham and the ceremony itself uses “Khao Phansa” flower (Globba winiti) to celebrate the historic find.The beautiful flower, candle procession and cultural performance parade through the town from Phra Phutthabat municipality office to Wat Phra Phuttabat. The opening ceremony begins once the parade reaches the temple and is followed by Tak Bat Dok Mai, the parade where monks receive the offerings.
The flowers offered to the monks must be Dok Khao Phansa, the yellow flowers with smaller violet petals, which are commonly found in Saraburi province. After the monks accept offerings from merit makers, they will take the flowers to pay homage to “Lord Buddha’s Footprint” and "Jedi Chulamanee" (Jedi of Buddha’s relics). Upon descending the steps, Buddhists will wash their feet with clean water, it's believed that the water is a way of cleansing their sins. In the evening there is entertainment, which varies from year to year.

Saraburi's unique festival “Tak Bat Dok Mai” is one of the most important cultural heritages of the region.Tourists who visit Saraburi during the festival will not only witness Buddhist rituals such as making merit, but will also enjoy entertainment that includes traditional folk games, cultural performances and contests.

Many Buddhists from around the world visit Wat Phra Phutthabat to have their “Teab” stamped, which they believe is a passport to heaven.

Rahu_Coconut Husk

List of Supreme Patriarchs‏

1. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana
BE 2325-BE 2337

2. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana
BE 2337-BE 2359

3. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana
BE 2359-BE 2362

4. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana
BE 2363-BE 2365

5. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana
BE 2365-BE 2385

6. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana
BE 2386-BE 2392

7. Somdet Kromma Phra Paramanujit Jinorasa
BE 2394-BE 2396

8. Somdet Krom Phraya Pavares Variyalongkorn
BE 2396-BE 2435

9. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana
BE 2436-BE 2442

10. Somdet Krom Phraya Vajirananavarorasa
BE 2453-BE 2464

11. Somdet Kromma Luang Jinavorn Sirivaddhana
BE 2464-BE 2480

12. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana
BE 2481-BE 2487

13. Somdet Kromma Luang Vajirananavangsa
BE 2488-BE 2501

14. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana
BE 2503-BE 2505

15. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana
BE 2506-BE 2508

16. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana
BE 2508-BE 2514

17. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana
BE 2515-BE 2516

18. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana
BE 2516-BE 2531

19. Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara
BE 2532-present