Thursday 26 May 2016

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony


It's already two days ago the at Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony happened. I've been too busy running around and doing other things to report about. But here we go now, I have found time to report about what I found and saw.

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony; The sitting monk as seen from a frontal view, with the entrance below. This was a nice surprise to me, that you can actually enter the structure and wlak up to the deck of the boat, where the monk is sitting

Unfortunately we didn't see the placement of the monks 'heart' in to the statue, since I had to transfer my visa into my new passport at immigration office in Nathon. We just caught the very tail end of the ceremony, where the location of the heart was being cemented closed and painted black, just like the rest of the statue.

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony; A view from the side, which clearly shows the boat structure fo the building

It was a big event with many guests and locals alike and it's really a shame to have missed it. A real surprise for me was to find out that you can actually enter the boat or building. There's a small bridge over the water leading to the inside of the building and of course this had to be checked out.

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony; Pictire of the sitting monk taken directly in fornt of him, on the upper deck of the boat or building

Once you enter there are a few items on display to revere the original monk and some Buddhist amulets were for sale. Since this ceremony went on for a couple of days, there were amulates dedictaed to each specific day.
Than on the left, after entering, are stairs leading yu to the upper deck and you almost stumble into the sitting monk upon entering.

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony; The right foot of monk, covered in coins and being washed by the local people, I assume for good luck. Some people also put water on tehir head after having washed or splashed the foot

On this deck there are plenty of Buddha statues on display, under a roof and you have a great, close up view of the monk statue and the temple behind you. Well worth a visit and good for some great pictures.

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony

Wat Bophud sitting monk statue ceremony; the main tent for the 'important' people, attending the ceremony, as seen from the upper deck of the statue or building

Do stop by once you're in the neighbourhood for a visit, it's a unique building on Koh Samui and it's nice to see and possibly take some pictures.
As already mentioned, well worth a visit and a nice Buddhist addition to the island's cultural heritage.

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Camille

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