Wat Pho

Today, I went into the city and took the ferry to see Wat Pho.

Wat Pho is Thailand's oldest and largest temple. From the 16th century, it predates the city of Bangkok. It is also home to the Chapel of the Reclining Buddha. Of all the gestures of the Buddha (including Touching the Earth, Meditation, Reassurance, Exposition, and Restraining the Waters ), the Reclining Buddha represents parinivana, or ultimate nirvana. The 150 foot long gold gilded plaster and brick image fills the entire hall. On its feet are the most amazing mother of pearl images which represent the auspicious signs of the true Buddha. There is even a tree that is said to have been grown from the cuttings of the original tree that Buddha sat under. Unfortunately this section was closed do to construction.

These temples are amazing! I could walk around in them for hours. And I do.

In America, I use to delight in the historic feeling of a place like Boston, but this place is from the 16th century. I walk around and imagine the monks over the ages that called this place their home. Could they imagine that years later, tourists would be wondering the grounds shooting digital photographs to post for their friends in seconds halfway around the world?