The Ubosoth by junge1

Photography • Historical • posted on Oct 05, 2012

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Description

The Ubosoth, shown on the previous upload on the right side (the more or less traditional looking building), is an edifice inside a Buddhist monastery, surrounded by eight sacred boundry stones within which the ordination of monks and other rituals can be performed. This ubosoth contains the Emerald Buddha. A brief history of the Emerald Buddha: The Emerald Buddha or Phra Kaew, is 60 to 75cm high (depending on how it is measured). It is made of a type of jasper or perhaps nephrite (a type of jade), depending on whom to believe. A definite aura of mystery surrounds the image, enhanced by the fact that it cannot be examined closely - it sits in a glass case, on a pedestal high above the heads of worshippers - and photography within the bot is forbidden. Its mystery further adds to the occult significance of the image, which is considered the 'taliman' of the Thai kingdom, the legitimator of Thai sovereignity. It is not known for certain where the image originated or who sculped it, but it first appeared on record in 15th century Chiang Rai. Legend says it was sculped in India and brought to Siam by way of Ceylon, but stylistically it seems to belong to the Chiang Saen or Lanna (Lan Na Thai) period (13th to 14th centuries). Sometime in the 15th century, the image is said to have been covered with plaster and gold leaf and placed in Chiang Rai's own Wat Phra Kaew (literally, 'temple of the jewel holy image'). While being transported elsewhere after a storm had damaged the chedi in which the image had been kept, the image supposedly lost its plaster covering in a fall. It next appeared in Lampang where it enjoyed a 32-year stay (again at a Wat Phra Kaew) until it was brought to Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai. Laotian invaders took the image from Chiang Mai in the mid-16th century and brought it to Luang Prabang in Laos. Later it was moved to Wiang Chan (Vientiane). When Thailand's King Taksin waged war against Laos 200 years later, the image was taken back to the Thai capital of Thonburi by General Chakri, who later succeeded Taksin as Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty. Rama I had the Emerald Buddha moved to the new Thai capital in Bangkok and had two royal robes made for it, one to be worn in the cool season and one for the rainy season. Rama III added another to the wardrobe - to be worn in the cool season. The three robes, all made of gold, are still solemly changed at the beginning of each season by His Royal Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, himself (Lonely Planet, Thailand, 1995). While stationed for 2 1/2 months in Bangkok in fall of 1967 I had the opportunity to take a picture of the Emerald Buddha through the entrance while standing outside. Unfortunately I lost this image. This picture was taken on 10 August 2012, Sig...

Comments (34)

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emmecielle

4:42PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

Fantastic details and colours! Wonderful capture! :)

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Jay-el-Jay

4:50PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

A nice photo of this elaborate building.

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flavia49

4:56PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

marvelous picture and info

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MagikUnicorn

5:03PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

MARVELOUS!

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mariogiannecchini

5:06PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

Very beautiful building and picture !

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Richardphotos

5:11PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

very beautiful structure and you captured so well

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Minda

5:38PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

excellent details and amazing capture sig.

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npauling

7:51PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

How splendid and ornate it looks in this lovely capture. Amazing work to complete this building.

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Faemike55

8:36PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

Very cool image and even cooler story/history of the Buddha

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jocko500

8:59PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

very lovely history shot. lot of information

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kgb224

10:04PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

Superb capture my friend. God Bless.

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danapommet

10:57PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

Amazing photo my friend! This building is so elaborate and exquisitely designed. An amazing place to visit and share with us. Wonderful historical information!

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UVDan

11:35PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

Wow, great story and photo!

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Isabelle711

11:40PM | Fri, 05 October 2012

My friend I thank you ever so much for sharing your beautiful travels with us. :))))) The architecture is so breathtaking with beauty. :))))))) The info shared is amazing. :)))) Most excellent capture. :)))) Thank you for sharing all of the beauty you see. :)))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :))))

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renecyberdoc

1:00AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

fantastic sig.

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Hendesse

1:10AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

Excellent and very interesting shot. Thanks for the informations too.

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UteBigSmile

1:33AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

Toller Schnappschuss von diesem fantastischen Tempel, muss ja eine super Reise gewesen sein (neidisch guck)!

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jayfar

2:53AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

A super image of this beautiful place Sig.

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farmerC

3:35AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

Fantastic done.

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virginiese

7:03AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

very nice capture of this place. Your story is fascinating also.

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dakotabluemoon

8:19AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

Wow that is so beautiful stellar image dude.

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debbielove

9:38AM | Sat, 06 October 2012

An amazing looking building! Such detailed structure! Glad to see they look after it well.. Not glad to see so many people, oh well such is the world.. But thanks for showing Sig.. Excellent photo.. Rob