Thursday 28 March 2024

Buddha Buying In Bangkok

Bangkok has dozens of impressive Wats, Buddhist temples and related religious shrines. Plenty of architectural marvels, full of elaborate decorations and crammed with blinged out icons. Maybe you want to have some of that religious magic in your home? Time to head to a holy shop.

Home alters. The colors are set, just choose your size.

Parade of big Buddhas. You want sitting, standing, default gold or maybe make a statement in fake, green plastic jade?

Getting personal. Wat temples like to memorialize their famous, beloved monks by making frighteningly realist mini versions of them. Someone special in your religious life? Grab a copy.

More stuff, always more stuff. Buddha profile and an endless supply, variety of offering baskets. The gifts are for your dearly departed, making sure they have fresh toothpaste, maybe a flashlight in the afterlife.

The sign says not for sitting. Only for selling. For those folks with Buddha envy issues.

Tuesday 26 March 2024

Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan

That's a mouthful. And it lives up to its name, a large complex in the center of Bangkok with big temples and endless Buddha statues lining an inner courtyard. The Wat whatsitsname impresses.

The main temple, looming. Looks good with a natural wet down after a summer storm. And with a cute Horse statue. So friendly.

A bounty of Buddhas. Taking cover during a renovation. The crews, taking a break.

Inside the main temple, the big Buddha, sitting and shiny. Hello, Phra Sri Sakyamuni.

Another temple, impressive facade of white columns and elaborate carving of the roof gable. A Buddha statue, emerging from a clean up.

Bling, bling, bling. The Buddha statues do make a sight, once done with their dusting and now uncovered. Golden.