Golden Buddha Statue
Golden Buddha statue is the statue of Buddha made out of Gold. The statue is placed in the temple of Wat Traimit, Bangkok, Thailand. It is popularly known as Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon in Thailand.
The Golden Buddha statue was initially covered with a layer of stucco and colored glass. It remained for almost 200 years in this condition and was valued as a minor significance. But during the relocation project in 1955 CE, the plaster was chipped off and the true medium of the statue, gold was revealed making it most valuable Buddha statue.
Historical account of the Golden Buddha Statue
The origin of the statue is in a debate but it is believed that the statue was constructed during the Sukhothai Dynasty in 13th - 14th century. The style of the Buddha statue also confirms that it was made during the Sukhothai period. But it is known fact that metal figures were used to be cast in India and installed in various countries. Therefore, it can be assumed that the Golden Buddha statue may have been cast in India.
In about 1403 CE, the statue may have been moved to Ayutthaya. And at some point, the statue was completely plastered. The purpose was to prevent the possible stolen act. Therefore, it remained among the ruins of Ayutthaya without attracting much attention.
It was in 1801 when Thai King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, popularly known as Rama I, ordered to bring various antique Buddha statues to Bangkok from the ruined temples around the country. The golden Buddha statue was also transported to Bangkok and was installed in the main temple building of Wat Chotanaram.
When the Buddhist temple, Wat Chotanaram, was neglected for long time, the temple was closed down due to the damage in the building structure. Hence, the statue was moved to the Buddhist temple, Wat Traimit in 1935 CE. At that period, the temple didn’t have the appropriate space for the Buddha image. Hence, it was placed in the simple tin roof for about 20 years.
Only in 1954, a new Viharn building was built with the purpose to house the statue. In 1955, the statue was moved. On the account to transfer the statue, the rope which had been holding the statue was broke. The statue fell on the ground. At this moment, some parts of the plaster chipped off which allowed the golden surface to be seen clearly. Then the plaster was removed carefully.
It was learned that the golden statue was adjoined with nine parts which can be disassembled with the help of a key found at the base of the plaster. This helped for easier transportation.
Then in 2010, another large building was completed at the Wat Traimit Temple complex to house the Golden Buddha statue.
Feature of the Golden Buddha Statue
The Golden Buddha statue is portrayed in seating posture and is posed in Bhumisparsha Mudra. The statue's ushnisha is crowned. The statue has three wrinkles in the neck along with elongated earlobes and wide shoulders. The chest is inflated.
It is recorded that the statue is 3 meters tall and weighs 5.5 tonnes. Regarding the gold of the statue, it is recorded that the body of the statue is 40% pure, the volume from the chin to the forehead is 80% pure, and the hair and the topknot are 99% pure gold which weights 45 kg.
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