When the tour guide said that we are about to come to the most famous temple in the ancient city of Chiang Mai, Wat Phra Singh, I don’t know what I am excited about. The main joy is that I visited it during the Spring Festival in 2010 and shared it with you in the article "Chiang Mai, Thailand│ Wat Phra Singh (Phra Singh Temple)."Since it was our own half-day tour of the ancient city at that time, we couldn't get inside well, and we had a professional tour guide to explain the historical background, so we had to go home and check the information online. (But at the time, most of the web pages were all in English, and it took a lot of effort just to translate and verify...＠＠)
This time, I re-introduced it with the tour guide, plus the Chinese tour translated by Geyou Relish Life to learn more about its history.The most famous is that there is a big golden pagoda about 20 meters high in the middle of the Pasing Monastery (pictured above). It is reported that it was built in the 16th century, and the pagoda contains the relic of the Buddha Shakyamuni. The top of the pagoda There is a crystal lotus gift from the King of Thailand.In addition, Pasing Temple is also one of the main places where people celebrate the Songkran Festival every year!
This temple is located at the junction of Rajdamnoen Road and Samlam Road in the ancient city of Chiang Mai. It was built by King Meng Lai in 1345. It was mainly used to enshrine the ashes of his father. After many expansions, it formed its current scale. It can be called Chiang Mai. One of the oldest temples.This time we will mainly visit three parts: "Lai Kam", "Water Lantern Prayer", and "Main Hall", and we will introduce you in order.
Part1. Laika Buddha Hall shows the authenticity of the ancients.
During the Sukhothai dynasty, there was a powerful Lanna kingdom in northern Thailand. Wat Phra Singh was the most representative temple of the Lanna dynasty. First, we came to the Lai Kam temple behind the main hall. There are hand-carved statues and carved flowers here, highlighting the beauty of the refined craftsmanship at the time. After the construction of this Buddha statue, it ushered in Chiang Mai from Sri Lanka in 1389, but it was taken to Qingcai to copy another one. Finally settled in Laika Verde Hall.However, in 1922 AD, the head of the Buddha statue was stolen. According to legend, in order to protect the Buddha statue, people set up a secret place under this Buddhist hall to set up the original.
In addition, the left and right sides of the Laika Buddha Hall are full of murals. They were painted by Jeck Seng, an overseas Chinese at the time. They are authentic and antique, so please do not touch them when you visit.Judging from the murals, the customs and customs of the Lanna Dynasty at that time, including men’s and women’s clothing, the market, the life of the little people, and the court, are very delicate and delicate. I think it is a bit similar to the Song Dynasty Qingming River Tour, and the painting outlines the contemporary Humanistic style.
▲ This is the only Buddhist hall in Thailand where monks and nuns share the ordination ceremony. The nuns face south and the monks face north.
[Lake Buddha Hall]
[Mural on the wall] Antique authentic.
[Pasing Buddha Statue] The dragon painted on the wall behind the ancient Buddha Jeck Seng was influenced by Chinese culture. (Upper right of the picture)
Part2. Water lanterns pray for blessings, take away their own disasters, and pray for success in the coming year.
As we are still in the Loy Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai, Pasing Temple also has his way of praying here. We walked to the tent next to Lai Ka Buddha Hall, and the guide led us to watch. There was a large paper boat. There are boats with leaf bases stacked on top of them. Inside are flowers, flags, incense, cigarettes, fruits, etc., and each white flag is filled with text. The tour guide said this is the way of praying for water lanterns, but it is different from last night. In Dafu, let the coconut shell water lamp drift down the Meibin River.
The way of praying here in the temple is to write the name on the boat and pray to the Buddha.I looked to the side and saw a small table. Apart from enshrining the Buddha, there was a grandmother’s help. There were a lot of small water lanterns beside it. But before writing the name on the boat, you must be at the counter. Put money in the sesame oil tank, and then take the boat to write.The sesame oil money is up to personal wishes, about 20-50 baht is also acceptable.Xiao Chen taught us how to pray for blessings at the scene. In addition, I translated the explanation sheet of the scene as follows. I also hope to provide you with your reference. If you go to Chiang Mai next year for the Loy Krathong Festival, you will know what to do!
Step1. Write your name and family name on the corners.
Write your full name on the small flag.
Step2. Cut your nails, your hair(just a little) put them in the leaf-Krathong.
Cut off a little bit of nails and hair, and put it in a small water lamp.
Step3. Face to the Bhudha's image and begging him. To help you sending your troubles away such as illness, your difficulty, your uncontrolled mind.
Pray to the Buddha to help take away your sickness, worries and disturbing thoughts.
Then put your leaf-Krathong on the ship(boat).
After praying, put the water lantern into the boat.
Step4. Make your wishes to Think, to Speak, to DO Good, then you will be happy forever.
Now your troubles have been sent away.
We can't just ask for the blessing of the Buddha. We must always think positively, say good things, and do good deeds, and we will be happy for a long time.Okay~ Your worries will also be gone.
[Symbol of the Year of the Rabbit]
[Staff] They are making new small water lanterns.
Part3. Wat Phra Singh is a PhD-level temple in Chiang Mai and the most revered symbol.
In Thailand, the temple is composed of many main buildings, including the main hall, the Vihara, the Chedi, the bell tower, the Buddhist scripture pavilion, and the pavilion.However, temples are divided into levels. From the big temple to the upper level is the "bachelor-level" temple, followed by the "master-level" and "doctorate-level".It turned out that Wat Phra Singh, located in the center of the ancient city of Chiang Mai, is a doctoral temple. There are eight doctoral temples in Thailand, and there is only this one in Chiang Mai. So it can be seen how he is revered here in Chiang Mai, and there are even many monks from other places. Come here often to learn and communicate.
The main hall in the temple was built in 1518 AD, and was expanded from 1924 to 1925. In 1982, it was slightly adjusted to its current appearance.When we walked slowly into the main hall, the bright yellow paper lanterns were all decorated for the Loy Krathong Festival.The face of the Buddha in the main hall has a strong northern Thai flavor. The entire temple depicts the style of the Lanna Dynasty. According to Thai legends, Sakyamuni’s footprints have stepped here, and left the relics. It is left for future generations (that is, the Great White Pagoda).So every year during the Bathing Buddha Festival, here is also an important base for holding celebrations!Because the monks in the temple will cleanse the body of the Buddha, and they will also be invited to march outside the temple, and Buddhists from various places will also flow into the Pasing Temple to listen to the abbot master's teachings and blessings.
postscript:There is a vegetable market next to the place where the Phra Sing Temple is located, and the name of the temple was originally called Wat Lee Chiang (Wat Lee Chiang), which means "the temple next to the vegetable market". Later, the name of the temple was changed to Phra Sing after the presence of the Buddha. Temple. "Pasing" is pronounced the same as "Lion" and "Brave" in Thai, but it is written differently.Therefore, most people will mistake the "Pashing Buddha" for the Lion Buddha. That is wrong. It should mean "the brave Buddha."However, "Pasing Temple" was mistakenly called "Lion Temple" and it is still used today. (The text is reproduced in Geyou's Chinese guide content) This time when I searched the Internet for data, I found a Geyou "Relish LifeThe Chinese guide written by him contains very detailed origins and historical background, and is even more detailed than what the tour guide said. Geyou said that there will be this Chinese guide, which comes from a young monk in the temple. Because of his poor Chinese, Li Jinping entrusted him to assist in translation and sorting, and he was able to pay attention to so many details, including the allusions of Buddha Phra Singh, the origin of the wall paintings, and the zodiac sign on the head of the Buddha in the main hall. Therefore, he is highly recommended. Go to Geyou’s Chinese tour. (Some because I didn't go inside for personal visits and took pictures, so I stopped writing.)
▲ You will see a dragon sculpture at the entrance of the main hall. The middle section of the body is very interesting. It is a dragon eating another dragon. It turns out that a dragon can eat anything, including "time". This means that everything will pass and be wiped out.
(This photo was taken during the 2010 Spring Festival)
▲ This is the joss stick and lotus for worship.
[Head 12 Chinese Zodiac] If you look closely at the top of the Buddha's head, there are 12 Chinese zodiac signs. It is different from ours that the elephant is listed as one.
[Pray for blessings and interpretations for the people] At that time, a monk was helping people explain. I think there are usually more blessings here.
[Wax Statue of Monk Dedao] Xiao Chen said that he had to pay respect to the Buddha before entering the Buddhist temple, which was regarded as saying hello before taking pictures. (I did bye bye first!)
[Cangjing Pavilion] The Cangjing Pavilion is mainly to protect the fragile scripture volumes. At that time, the purpose was to provide monks with access to teachings or to record folk legends.
◎ Wat Phra Singh (Phra Singh Temple)
– Address: Sri Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand
