THAI TEMPLES

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In a Thai Buddhist monastery there are often some Buddhist flags.

The Buddhist flag is yellow-orange. The Dharma wheel is drawn on it. The Thai flag ("THONG TRAI RONG" - ธงไตรรงค์) symbolises the monarchy (blue color), the nation (red color) and the Buddhism (white color).

During Thai Buddhist temples fair, Buddhist flags are often pitched on the road to show the path to the temple.

In a Thai Buddhist monastery there is often a Dharma wheel ("THAMACHAKA" - ธรรมจักร).

It symbolizes the wheel of Buddhist Law, the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. They are round with eight spokes symbolizing the Noble Eightfold Path.

People in the old days built wooden Buddha images. It was commonly believed that building a replica of Buddha was a way to support Buddhism. The builder would also gain merit. Some believed that building a wooden Buddha image would bring them good luck, good health and prosperity. There is also a belief that a newly built Buddha image can help lengthen the lifespan of the sick or people whose luck is falling under a bad sign or influence.

Phra Mai Isan images looks similar with two postures, standing and sitting. Once built, the wooden Buddha image would be presented to the temple's abbot and kept in the temple hall for people to pay homage.

Nowadays a new, stronger and more modern style of Buddha image can be cast so these ancient carved images are replaced and moved out from the temple hall. They are placed outside the temple walls or under big trees, at the mercy of the weather.

In a Thai Buddhist monastery there is often some sacred shrine.

This sacred shrine contains a Buddha sacred footprint. The text in Thai language on the right side stipulates that women are not allowed to go there.

The most famous Buddha sacred footprint in Thailand is located in Wat Phra Phuthabat in Saraburi.

In Thailand, many Buddhist temples have a Buddha sacred footprint (รอยพระพุทธบาท). The footprint is often big and shows the 108 auspicious characteristics of Buddha.

In a Thai Buddhist monastery there is often a bric-a-brac.

Thais people make merit with Buddha by donating religious objects to temples. These are always accepted. Temples are often jumbled with religious bric-a-brac.

Some people even donated 35mm and 16mm films to Thai Buddhist temples. Some old Thai movies were rescued as Buddhist temples always keep and store donations.

Thai temples are Buddhist but there are also elements of Hindu beliefs in most temples. Hindu gods may have their statues included. Thai people also combine Buddhism with ancient Animist beliefs.

Buddhist temples in Thailand have very strict dress codes but it is only really applied in Royal Buddhist temples.

Items related to Thai Royalty (Thai Queen portrait) can often be seen in Thai Buddhist temples.

Items related to Thai Royalty (Thai Royal barge) can often be seen in Thai Buddhist temples.

Thai temple Photo Gallery

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