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...