Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Rajavaravihara (Thai: วัดบวรนิเวศวิหารราชวรวิหาร; RTGS: Wat Bowon Niwet Wihan Ratchaworawihan, IPA: [wát bɔwɔːn níʔwêːt wíʔhǎːn râːttɕʰawɔːráʔwíʔhǎːn]) is a major Buddhist temple(wat) in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is a center of the Thammayut Nikayaschool of Thai Theravada Buddhism and has been a major temple of patronage for the Chakri dynasty.[2]It is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinasi (พระพุทธชินสีห์) which was moulded in about 1357. It is where many royal princes studied and served their monkhood, including king Bhumibol.[1]
Royal patronageEdit
Prince Bhikkhu Mongkut arrived at the temple in 1836 (ordination name: Vajirañāṇo) and became the first abbot. He later acceeded to the throne of Siamas King Rama IV.[3] His great grandson, KingBhumibol Adulyadej ordained at the Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew) and resided here for a short period after he became King. Bhumibol's mentor, Somdet Phra Yanasangworn, eventually became abbot of the temple, and later, the Supreme Patriarch of Thai Buddhism. Exiled dictator Thanom Kittikachornreturned to Thailand as a novice monk to join Wat Bowonniwet leading to large public demonstrations and a bloody crackdown in October 1976. KingBhumibol Adulyadej's son, Prince Vajiralongkornwas ordained and spent a short period at this temple, as well as several of the Prince's own sons.[4]
ArchitectureEdit
The golden chedi at the wat's shrine carries the relics and ashes of Thai royalty.[1] The two viharasare closed to public. The T-shaped bot holds a magnificent Sukothai period Buddha, cast in 1257 A.D. to celebrate freedeom from Khymers. [1] The imaginary 3-dimensional murals on the bot'sinterior walls were traditionally light and limited in their subject matter and style.[1] Monk artist Khrua In Khong introduced western style in the murals depicting Buddhist topics.[1]