Wat Thammaram, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

“Wat Thammaram” Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, outside the island of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, in Ban Pom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The name first appeared during the reign of King Mahintharathirat, when King Bayinnaung of Hongsawadi led an army to invade Ayutthaya in 2112 B.E. Some of the army was stationed at Wat Thammaram, indicating that Wat Thammaram had been built since the middle Ayutthaya period. In addition, it is a place that is related to the history of Buddhism, namely, it was the place where Phra Ubali Mahathera and Phra Ariyamuni Mahathera resided, whom Somdet Phra Buddhakosajarn of Wat Phutthaisawan appointed as the preceptor to travel to Sri Lanka in 2296 B.E. to ordain Sri Lankan men because Buddhism had declined from this land, according to the royal decree of King Borommakot, causing the Siamese sect of Buddhism to arise in Sri Lanka since then. Currently, Wat Thammaram is a temple with monks residing during the Buddhist Lent. The area is divided into two parts: the Buddhavasa area, consisting of a bell-shaped pagoda as the main building, the vihara on the east side, and the ordination hall on the west side, surrounded by a glass wall. The Sangkhavasa area consists of the Tripitaka Hall, the bell tower, the monks' quarters, the sala kan parian, and the pier pavilion. 🌷The vihara is located on the east side of the main pagoda and the ordination hall. It is a brick and mortar building with three entrance doors. The gables on the front and back are carved with wood in a beautiful pattern of coiled stems. The building was built in the architectural style of the late Ayutthaya period and was renovated in the Rattanakosin period. In front of the vihara, there is a Buddha image carved from marble. Inside the vihara, there are Buddha images of four Buddhas: 1. Phra Kakusandha Buddha 2. Phra Konakam Buddha 3. Phra Kassapa Buddha 4. Phra Kotama Buddha (the present Buddha) In addition, there is a small room inside the vihara, which houses a Buddha image in the First Sermon posture. It is very beautiful with 3 entrances, the entrance is behind the Buddha statues of the 4 Buddhas, there are left and right doors and another entrance is on the side of the chapel, you can walk through to the said room. 🌷Ubosot Located on the west side of the main pagoda, it is a brick and plaster building with load-bearing walls, built in the architectural style of the late Ayutthaya period. The pediment shows stucco with vine patterns decorated with Chinese porcelain. Inside, there are Buddha siblings in the Mara-Vijaya posture, late Ayutthaya art style, which have very similar faces. 🌷Main pagoda Located in the middle between the chapel and the pagoda, it is a round pagoda, set on a square circumambulation base, with small surrounding pagodas decorating the four corners of the circumambulation base, which is a characteristic of the architectural style of the late Ayutthaya period. 🌷Ho Trai Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. From history and legends that have been told, Ho Trai is the place where Phra Ubali resided and consulted with Phra Ariyamuni about traveling to "settle" Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Even during the reign of King Rama V, there was a major renovation. One evidence is the royal emblem at the entrance, but the intricately carved wooden doors and windows are still original to the Ayutthaya period. The murals are almost all faded. Story from Phra Athikarn Prasat Khemapunyo, abbot of Wat Thammaram About 700 years ago, Buddhism flourished in Sri Lanka, to the point where it reached its peak. It was spread to Thailand, probably during the Sukhothai period. We call Buddhism that came from Sri Lanka "Lanka Wong sect". According to history, about 250 years ago, the Lanka Wong sect declined. Sri Lanka sent an envoy to King Borommakot to invite Thai monks to revive Buddhism in Sri Lanka. When the Thai Sangha went to revive it, they had the opportunity to ordain 2,300 Sri Lankan novices and 700 monks, totaling 3,000 Sri Lankans. Buddhism flourished again in Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lankans respected the Thai Sangha, saying: "Siam Wong Sect" 🌷Phra Ubali Mahathera He was the former abbot of Wat Thammaram 250 years ago. He was a Buddhist missionary during the reign of King Borommakot of Ayutthaya who traveled to Sri Lanka at the request of the Sri Lankan side to be the preceptor and ordain Samanera Saranankorn, a Sinhalese, to continue Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He is remembered for his bravery in crossing the sea to Sri Lanka and died there after spreading the religion for 2 years and 9 months. He is considered the greatest Buddhist missionary in Thai history. When he first resided at Wat Thammaram, it was a small temple with the northern boundary adjacent to Wat Thakarong, the southern boundary adjacent to Wat Kasatrathirat, the eastern boundary adjacent to the Chao Phraya River, and the western boundary adjacent to Bang Ban Road. It is located in Tambon Ban Pom, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Changwat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Phra Ubali died of an ear infection in his kuti at Wat Buppharam. (Malwatta Temple) Kandy In 1756, the King of Sri Lanka held a grand cremation ceremony at the royal tomb named Adahana Maluva, now known as the Ashgiriya Kedike Temple in Kandy. Currently, the place where his body was cremated has been surrounded by bricks. After the cremation ceremony, he ordered a stupa to be built on the hilltop near the Ashgiriya Temple to enshrine his remains for worship, which still exists today. The kuti of Phra Ubali and his room have been well preserved, even though they are small rooms with only an old bed and a set of tables and chairs. The belongings and things he used are still there. Sri Lankans also consider them to be something that should be respected and have preserved them to this day. #places to visit near Bangkok#recommend delicious restaurants#places to visit with rice field views#afternoon tea review#visit national parks#spa review#cafe review