Somdet Phra Sakayamuni Sri Sumet Bophit (สมเด็จพระศากยมุณีศรีสุเมธบพิตร)

Thai. Name of the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand, located in the Maha Wihaan Phra Non Yai (มหาวิหารพระนอนใหญ่) at Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang (fig.), in Samut Prakan. The name is in rajasap and freely translates: ‘His Lord (Somdet Phra) and Highness (Bophit), the Wise (Sri Sumet) Sakyamuni Buddha’. Built in 1978, the large reclining Buddha image was originally outdoors. From top to toe it has a length of 26 wah, 1 sok, and 9 niw, or about 53 meters. It is 18 meters high and 7.5 meters wide. It was built by the initiative of Phra Kruh Phisahn Wuttikit (พิศาลวุฒิกิจ), the then abbot of Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang, in order to attract pilgrims visiting the nearby Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai (fig.), which is home to Luang Pho Toh (fig.), a sacred Buddha image of the central region. Inside this large reclining Buddha image are 4 floors, the first floor is used for general affairs, the other floors have 28 rooms for meditation, paintings and statues depicting the history of the Buddha, while on the top floor is a room containing a giant heart, with lunges and intestines, said to be those of the Buddha, and which worshippers over time have completely covered with gold leaf. The giant reclining Buddha image represents the Mahaparinirvana, i.e. the Buddha's definitive transition into nirvana (fig.) and his total extinction following death in which all his suffering, desire, and the cycle of rebirths cease. This happened in 483 BC in Kusinagara after he had gathered all his disciples to hear his final sermon. Hundreds of life-sized statues representing these disciples, seated in lotus position, are scattered throughout the Wat Bang Phli Yai Klan temple compound while the lotus pedestal upon which they sit is used as a burial vault for the ashes of deceased local residents, who have their picture and name attached to it. Also known as Phra Non Yai (พระนอนใหญ่). WATCH VIDEO. 回