Nine Temples Tour in Bangkok (Part 2)

After filling up energy, we are ready to move on the next destination, Chao Pho Sua Shrine (The Shrine of the Godfather Sua). The shrine is located on Tanao road in Thai-Chinese residential area. It is an old Taoist shrine which Thai-Chinese people regard as a must-visit for paying homage. Since the name of the shrine, "sua" means tiger, paying respect to the statues here is believed to bring more authoritative power to the worshipper. Apart from Chao Pho Sua, there are also statues of Chinese gods and goddesses like Guan Yu and Kuan-Im whom I am to worship. You can buy an offering in front of the shrine as a donation, which comes with a set of 15 incense sticks and a pair of red Chinese candles.

Bus number 56, takes me to my next stop, Suthat Thepwararam Temple (Wat Suthat). Wat Suthat is located behind a Giant Swing (Sao Chingcha), opposite Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. People believe that paying homage at Wat Suthat will bring them a good vision and charm. Flowers, 3 incense sticks, and a candle are the set offering for the 800 year-old Buddha image of Phra Si Sakyamuni. Wat Suthat Thepwararam is also famous for having the tallest vihara, Sukhothai period’s Buddha image of Phra Si Sakyamuni, and the exquisite vihara doors created and carved by King Rama II. What I like most in Wat Suthat is that they provide a Buddist sermon two times a day at 12pm and 7pm for those who are interested in practicing the dharma. I took a last look at Wat Suathat, at a row of shining gold seated Buddha images then I hastily move to the next sacred place.

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This article is written by Som.

Paying Homage to Nine Sacred Temples in Bangkok (Part 1)

According to a proverb “a good start is a part of success,” people take advantage of special events such as a birth day or New Year day to gain good luck and get off to a good start. As Thais strongly believe in Buddhism, one of the most popular things to do to gain good blessings is making merit and donating at temples or paying homage to sacred place like temples and shrines in order to gain luck, and clean their spirit.

Together with Thai superstitious belief, Thai devotees see that paying homage to nine temples in a day will bring prosperity and good luck for their lives. Why it should be nine? The reason is that Thais pronounce number nine as “Kao” like the word “Kao” which means to progress and to step up. Therefore, belief in Buddhism and superstition is combined and worshipping nine sacred places will bring success and prosperity to the devotees.

Because Bangkok is the capital of Thailand where many of our important temples are situated, the city is famous for its Nine Sacred Temple tour. Our passage for paying homage to nine sacred places in Bangkok begins at Wat Kanlayanamit for a belief that Luang Phor Samporkong will bless pilgrims with a safe trip and pleasant encounters along their way. Wat Kanlayanamit and the Buddha image of Phra Puttatrairattanayok, also known as Samporkong to Thai-Chinsese people, was built during the reign of King Rama III and influenced by Chinese architecture. The gambrel of the ordination hall is decorated in floral patterns of a Chinese-style mosaic.

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This article is written by Som.