Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan

The Principle Buddha Image in the Fornt Portico of the North Assembly Hall

Phra Buddha Paliai or Phra Palilai was cast in the reign of King Rama I as a statue of an elephant offering a honeycomb. Later, King Rama IV named the Buddha image as “Phra Buddha Palilai”.

Art Style of Phra Buddha Palilai

The Buddha image is in a sitting position on a rock (like sitting on a chair) with trees behind. The palm of right hand turns upward on the right knee and the palm of left hand turns downwards on the left knee. In front of the Buddha image, there are statues of an elephant and monkey. This is related to the time when the to the time when the Buddha stayed alone in a forest away from the monks lacking unity. He was under care of an elephant named Palilai and a monkey.

Phra Buddha Palilai appears the style of early Rattanakosin with a round face, thick arched eyebrows, eyes gazing downwards, long ears curly hair, a slight smile and a flame shaped aureole. The chest, shoulders and arms are thinner than the Buddha images installed in the other assembly halls. The robe is draped over the left shoulder and the large shawl is extended to the navel.