The Reclining Buddha is one of the must-see attractions at Wat Pho in Bangkok. The attraction is very crowded and space is limited, so I recommend avoiding peak times.
Il buddha straiato – Pagina in italiano
The statue was built in 1832 during the reign of King Rama III, during a period of major renovation and expansion of the temple. The reclining Buddha was carved on a brick base and represents a masterpiece of Thai art, reflecting the artistic excellence of the era.
The statue is extraordinarily large: it measures 46 meters long and 15 meters high, making it one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. The entire figure is completely covered in gold leaf, creating a luminous and sacred effect that captivates visitors.
The statue’s eyes are also inlaid with mother-of-pearl, giving the face a serene and luminous expression.
But why is the Buddha reclining?
The reclining Buddha does not represent the Buddha in sleep, as is often believed, but rather the moment of Parinirvana, the final moment of the Buddha’s life when he enters Nirvana, completely freeing himself from pain and the cycle of reincarnation. The specific posture is called sihasaiyas (the position of a sleeping lion), and depicts the Buddha lying on his side with his hand supporting his head.
In addition to the statue itself, its feet are also very interesting, with strong religious connotations. The feet are very large, decorated with mother-of-pearl, and measure approximately 3 meters wide and 5 meters long. The soles of the feet are engraved with 108 auspicious scenes, a number that recurs frequently in the temple complex and represents the positive qualities and virtues of the Buddha.
Looking closely, the refined mother-of-pearl decorations are evident. They have been rotated for better visibility and understanding.
The decorations number exactly 108, a number that holds intense significance in Buddhism.
In Buddhism, 108 is closely linked to the path to enlightenment. It is believed that there are precisely 108 impurities, defilements, or sins that hinder the attainment of Nirvana. According to this teaching, every human being must overcome 108 earthly temptations, 108 lies, and 108 delusions to free themselves from the cycle of reincarnation and reach a state of complete spiritual awareness.
Another Buddhist interpretation holds that every human being possesses 108 different types of feelings: 36 related to the past, 36 to the present, and 36 to future dreams and ambitions.
One of the most fascinating explanations concerns the breakdown of the number itself:
1 represents Unity, Divine Consciousness, the Higher Truth
0 symbolizes Emptiness, Eternity, the Completeness of spiritual practice, and enlightenment (Samadhi)
8 represents Infinity, Eternity, Shakti (the creative force of nature)
From a more technical standpoint, 108 is considered a Harshad number, a Sanskrit term meaning “bringer of joy,” because it is divisible by the sum of its digits (1 + 0 + 8 = 9).
In the second part of the hall, there is also a corridor with 108 bowls where you can pour 108 coins, which you can purchase. Along the walls are 108 bronze offering bowls. This is a form of offering and devotion that any tourist, even non-Buddhist, can make.
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