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.

Going to the west, we soon reach Sanam Luang or Phramen Ground where the City Pillar Shrine (Lak Muang) is located at the southeast corner. The wooden pillar was firstly erected in 1782 by King Rama I as a part of the founding of Bangkok and later, in 1980, it was fully restored. The City Pillar Shrine is considered a place of worship for guardian deities who protect both the city and its people. It is believed that offering a set of lotus flowers with three joss sticks for the Buddha image, three-colored fabric for the pillar and a garland for the five sacred deities at the shrine will dispel the devotees’ bad luck and stretch their life with good fortune. 

Within walking distance of the City Pillar Shrine is Wat Pra Kaeo (Wat Pra Kaew) or Wat Pra Srirattana Sasadaram, one of the most significant temples of Thailand as it was established in grounds of the Grand Palace by King Rama I (1782-1809), and also known as Temple of the Emerald Buddha because of its most sacred Buddha image, Emerald Buddha or Pra Kaeo Morakot. This small green-jade statue has a great reputation for passing endless wealth and prosperity to worshipers with an offering of lotus, candle and joss sticks. Apart from the superstitious belief of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pra Kaeo is famous for its beautiful, uniquely Thai architectural design and impressive decoration, especially the mural depicting the Ramayana epic on the four cloisters of the temple.

Heading further south of Grand Palace near Tha Tien Pier for the last stop of the ‘paying homage to nine temples trip’ is the renowned temple, Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho. Thai visitor needs no ticket for entrance while foreigner has to pay 20 baht for a ticket. Wat Pho is known for its giant reclining Buddha which is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. The temple is named after the Buddha image as the Temple of Reclining Buddha. King Rama III commanded the inscription of poetry of Ayutthaya and Rattanagosin and the content of textbooks into stone plates to be fixed to inner walls around the temple. By doing so, Wat Pho became the first open university for Thai people.

People believe that making merit to the reclining Buddha image at Wat Pho with a set of 11 gold leaves, 9 incense sticks and a pair of candles will bless them with a peaceful life like staying under the cool shade of a Bo tree. After a long day visiting many temples in Bangkok, I ended my dayby pampering myself a good massage. Wat Pho offers a traditional Thai massage for only 150-250 baht with options of Thai Yoga massage or massage with herbal hot press.

My trip to pay homage to nine sacred temples in Bangkok was complete by the evening with loads of pictures and complete contentment. The trip did not only bring me a chance to be blessed, it also carried me back in time with the history of each important temple.

To view Part 1 of the temple pilgrimage, please visit Paying Homage to Nine Temples in Bangkok.

By Suttira Kaewthep