The Reclining Buddha At Wat Pho Temple Bangkok.

Posted on by Opher

It was huge! Very impressive!

11 thoughts on “The Reclining Buddha At Wat Pho Temple Bangkok.”

  1. Namaste Opher 🙂

    Fascinated to know more about this 46 metre long statue, I did some basic research and thought I’d add it to comments here. I hope that’s okay? 🙂

    The statue is a depiction of the Buddha in his last moments of life, just before he achieved Parinibbana. It is important to note the difference in position of the right hand. If supporting the head of the Buddha, the image denotes that the Buddha is resting. If the right arm is lying done next to the body, the image denotes that the Buddha has entered into Nirvana. (*)

    Also of note, is a story of the Buddha telling of his meeting with the giant Asurindarahu who was reluctant to bow before him. The Buddha, while lying down, presented himself as much larger than the giant. He then showed him the realm of heaven with heavenly figures all larger than the giant. After all this, Asurindarahu, the giant, was humbled, and made his obeisance to the Buddha before leaving. (*)

    Namaste 🙂

    DN

    * Information annotated from – http://www.buddha-images.com/reclining-buddha.asp

  2. Namaste Opher 🙂

    No problem. I wondered if you’d know the above anyway, no doubt there was information in the Temple complex relaying much the same?

    ‘I think I still might be a Buddhist at heart.’ – really? That’s good to hear. I think it the most individual of all ‘belief systems'(if I may use that phrase) in that enlightenment remains for the individual to achieve and determine: there is no dogma or law applied. It’s very Zen, if you know what I mean? Life is about a series of transformative states, not necessarily a sudden arrival or crowning moment. I like the idea of that, it speaks of progression along a spiritual silk road. I think of it a gentle way to walk.

    Enjoy your day!

    Live in Love, Go in Peace. Namaste 🙂

    DN

    1. I don’t remember seeing any information in the place Dewin.
      The thing that appeals to me about Buddhism is that it is incredibly peaceful, no-evangelical and open to all possibilities. It is more about the development of the individual than any belief system.

      1. Namaste Opher 🙂

        You put it more eloquently than I but that is just what I meant. It’s about the totality of the individual: of the ‘self ‘ finding Peace and Harmony within (and without) through a succession of transformations and changes. It is entirely peaceful. The Zen is the cerebral stimulant, the path the physical movement, but yet, both are centred on movement and motion through time and space to navigate the Way. This I find significant in some way but cannot determine why.

        Namaste 🙂

        DN

  3. Ha Dewin – I can see how Zen would appeal to you having read your poetic stories. They are all about finding the way through this maze of life and wonder.
    Metallica – a good choice!
    You should try some Incredible String Band though.
    Here we go slithering…….

    1. Namaste Opher 🙂

      Thank you, that’s very generous of you to say so 🙂

      I think writing is a meditative practice – it is zazen – a way of realizing the vibrant, subtle, and interconnected nature of thought and words, which through the continued act of writing, bring the writer closer into unity with them.

      Spiritually, achieving enlightenment is to understand the non-dualistic nature of existence – that there is no separation between the absolute and the ordinary, or relative. There is no separation, no differentiation, only unity. We are all Buddha’s in the making: Zen is not esoteric but exoteric – a way open to one and all, all and one – a way to live using intuitive understanding with attention, integrity, and authenticity, vowing to free all beings (and Earth) from suffering.

      Regards ISB – Here we go slithering! An off-the-wall acid-induced 13 minute voyage through multiple levels of reality – it is certainly a-mind expanding experience! A tour-de-force of interconnected ideas distilling to become an amalgam 🙂 Once listened to never forgotten! 🙂 What a ride, what a ride lol 🙂

      Happy New Year! Namaste 🙂

      DN

      1. Hi Dewin – yes writing is meditation and it takes you to other mental states and different universes. When you get in the flow you are transported.
        Glad you like the ISB.

Comments are closed.