The Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho is a Buddha image of early Bangkok Period, in brick and stucco, lacquered and gilded, measuring 46 meters in length, 15 meters in height from the base to the topknot. The face from the hairline to the chin measures 5 meters long, 2.50 meters wide. The feet are 5 meters in length, 3 meters in height. The image is enshrined in the hall within the monastic area to the Northwestern corner of the temple. The Buddha is featured in “Lion Sleep” position.
The Reclining Buddha of Wat Pha Chetuphon is a large Buddha image of perfection, especially the mother-of-pearl inlaid soles, acclaimed as the finest reclining Buddha of the large scale. The Reclining Buddha is much revered by Thai Buddhists and foreigners as a significant object of worship of the city, one in the 9 holy shrines to pay homage to by devotees, signifying “happiness”.
Beliefs in 108 Auspicious Symbols in the Lord Buddha’s Footprint
The beliefs in 108 auspicious symbols came from the ancient scripture of Sri Lanka, indicating that they were spotted by the Brahmins on the soles of Prince Siddhartha 5 days after he was born. There were, however, no such footprints created in Sri Lanka. They came later in Burma. lt was said that the 108 auspicious symbols were developed from the Eight Auspicious Symbols.