Properly considering the lodging, I use it: simply to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun and reptiles; simply for protection from the inclemencies of weather and for the enjoyment of seclusion.

Besides being used in temples and prayers, lotus also has medicinal properties and is used extensively in traditional Thai medicine. Besides this, many handicrafts across Thailand are inspired by the beauty of this flower.

Every year on the 14th full moon night in October, the Lotus Flower festival is held at Bang Phi in Samut Prakan district of Thailand. This festival is celebrated one day before end of the Buddhist Lent. Bang Phi is renowned for its lotus flowers which grows in abundance here. People from all across Thailand come here year in and year out, collect the lotus flowers and offer them to the monks. This Lotus Flower Festival is considered as one of the merit making festivals in Thailand.

During the festival, the image of Buddha is carried on a boat. This image is a replica of Luang Poh To Buddha image. People stand on either sides of the canal and they throw lotus flowers on the boat carrying the Buddha image. These flowers are meant as homage to Lord Buddha, Dhamma and Sangka. The local people also throw lotus flowers on the boats’ of the visitor as a gesture of welcoming them to join the festival.

As per traditions, Buddhist from across Thailand come to this district to pick flowers to offer to monks. The local people consider this as an honor and believe they will be blessed so they volunteer to keep the flowers to distribute it to the visitors. This tradition has become known as the Lotus Receiving Festival or Rap Bua festival.

While some temples in Bangkok display Thai architecture, others have been influenced by Khmer architecture. One of the notable features of Khmer style are prangs, with the formation of four mini prangs surrounding a massive central prang. A prang is an elaborately ornate corncob like structure that rises like a tapering pillar.

Every inch of a Khmer style temple is decorated with stunning relief carvings that are truly enchanting. Wat Arun in Bangkok Yai District resting on the western riverside of Chao Phraya River is a good example for a Khmer style Thai temple. You could capture an impressive iridescent from this temple during dawn, hence it has earned the name Temple of the Dawn.

Rising with a golden glamour is the world renowned Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This temple sits next to the famous Grand Palace and claims to be one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew enshrines the country’s most sacred Emerald Buddha, a remarkable statue of Buddha painstakingly carved off a single chunk of jade. You will discover a splendid trove of Thai and Khmer artistry here. Become awed by the giant mythical statues, admire golden structures and decorations and be delighted to discover a model of the world famous Angkor Wat in miniature form.

Among other temples in Bangkok another famous attraction is Wat Pho, sitting near the Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Pho houses an impressive statue of reclining Buddha that stretches about 46 metres in length and embellished in golden leaf. What’s more is the feet of the Buddha are three metres in length and display striking relief carvings on mother of pearl. These are said to be the sacred characteristics of Buddha, represented symbolically.

The rulers of Thailand have encouraged and supported Buddhism by building and maintaining monasteries, by providing the monks with material necessities and facilities for performing religious duties, by patronizing their educational activities such as the Buddhist Councils for revising the Tripitaka and having the scriptures translated into Thai, and by reforming the Sangha and appointing able Supreme Patriarchs to govern the Order. Since B.E. 2446 (1903 C.E.) the State has even enacted the laws forming the Constitution under which the Sangha governs itself.

The Department of Religious Affairs has been established in the Ministry of Education to achieve close cooperation between the Order and the Government and to provide a channel through which the Sangha can communicate with government authorities and through, which the State can promote the well-being of the Sangha.

Four Buddhist holy days are recognized by the Government as nationalholidays, namely, the Magha Puja Day, the Visakha Puja Day, the Asalha Puja Day and the Khao Pansa Day. Nearly all state and public ceremonies are blessed by the participation and chanting of senior members of the Order. The people also invite monks to chant the Sutras and protective formulas for their blessing and protection in all household rites such as housewarmings, birthday celebrations and weddings, and especially to conduct funeral rites and memorial services for the benefit of the deceased.

In Bangkok, the skyline is pierced by the spires of pagodas and stupas, especially those of Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) and the Golden Mount. “In the rice lands a traveler is seldom out of the sight of a phra chedi (Cetiya) or stupa towering above the village trees. In the less populous sections of the countries are sacred caves, ”footprints” of Buddha, and on many a steep and isolated hill a greying cetiya visible for miles around.

The Buddha is the very picture of calm and contemplation. And is this image of a calm and contemplative human being that has drawn many people to the Buddha, for centuries in Asia, and of course, in our own environment today. This is the image that conveys more explicitly the experience of his awakening. But the Buddha did not always sit in perfect contemplation.

After his awakening he got up from the sit of his enlightenment and talked about his experience to others on the roads of Northern India. The major events of his life took place in what we call the middle region of the Ganges basin, still the site of Buddhist pilgrimage today. In India itself there were two major reform movements than appeared within the Buddhist community not so long after the lifetime of the Buddha himself:

Buddhism moved North out of India into China in the second century of the common era, carried North by monks and merchants on the trade routes that went out over the mountains of India, into Afghanistan and then on into the great trade routes called the “silk road” that moved across central Asia and into the major mercantile centers of Northern China.

Here Buddhism encountered a sophisticated and ancient civilization. China was a confident and thoroughly civilized region when these early Buddhist monks began to make contact. For Buddhism to become part of China, as it eventually did, it was important for Buddhists to make some major changes in the way they thought through and expressed basic issues.

From China, Buddhism was eventually carried to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. You might put Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese Buddhism together as expressions of this great East Asian strand.

In the eighth century of the common era, Buddhism was carried across the Himalayas from India into Tibet. Today, the Dalai Lama, who is the leader of the Tibetan Buddhist community, is one of the most visible, and I think, one of the most active Buddhist leaders in the world.

Thailand’s culture is a mixture of influence from Cambodia, Southeast Asia, and India, creating a very unique culture indeed. Buddhism is the national religion and respect towards ancestors and towards religion is essential in this culture. That is why there are so many different temples throughout Thailand – there are over 31,000.

Ancient Palace – The ancient temple is officially called Wat Phra Si san Phet. This temple was the largest temple in the area and was used as a royal palace during its history. The main attraction is a complex at the entrance to the palace which has a number of buildings that visitors can wander through to get a feel for the ancient past of this beautiful temple.

Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit – This temple is special because it contains one of the largest bronze Buddha statues that can be found in Thailand. It was restored in the 1950s and was the first site for royal cremations.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram – This beautiful temple is a must-see for those who are visiting Thailand for the first time. It was built in 1630 on the Chao Phraya River and was designed to look much like temples that can be found in Cambodia. There are over 100 Buddha images and statues in the building, and most travelers state that it is one of the most peaceful and mystical temples that a visitor to the area can enjoy.

The temples of Thailand are much more than historical and religious structures; they are magical as well, prompting thousands of visitors every year, regardless of their religious beliefs, to flock to these amazing and beautiful sites.

Throughout the world there are countless revered Buddha statues, and Thailand has its fair share. Here we run down the top five spots for seeing Buddha statues in the Land of Smiles.

1. Bangkok

The City of Angels is full of temples and tourists whizzing around in the backs of tuk tuks. There’s plenty to see and almost everyone sees it, but that doesn’t stop Bangkok from being full of ancient wonder and charm. The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is one of the most famous Buddha statues in the world. Incredibly, it’s as long as the Statue of Liberty is high.

Wat Pho itself is the largest and oldest temple in Thailand. There are more than a thousand Buddha images in total, with the Reclining Buddha taking center stage. It is decorated with gold plating and mother of pearl. Wat Pho is also where you’ll find the famous massage school. The grounds are certainly worth a bit of exploration, so get your camera ready and enjoy. All the tuk tuk and taxi drivers in Bangkok will be happy to take you to Wat Pho, so you should have no problems finding it.

2. Chachoengsao

Chachoengsao is the capital of the province of the same name. It’s not so well known amongst tourists, but the locals certainly know about it and they flock there in their thousands every day. In terms of Buddha statues being revered, they don’t come much more so than here. Situated only 50 kilometers East of Bangkok, traveling to Chachoengsao is easiest by bus.
The only real attraction is Wat Sothon, which is allegedly one of the biggest temples in the world. People visit this temple to pay their respects to Luang Por Sothorn and to make wishes. Luang Por Sothorn is one of the most sacred Buddha statues in all of Thailand, and there are around 20 other statues in the temple. For a glimpse of Thai culture away from the touristy areas, this is a great place to visit. A little known secret is that the real Luang Por Sothorn is housed next door, and the one people pay their respects to is an exact copy.

3. Chiang Mai

The jewel in Northern Thailand’s crown is Chiang Mai. With a population of 170,000, it is a favorite spot for both tourists and locals, with many preferring the forgiving climate to Bangkok’s scorching heat. Chiang Mai is rich in cultural depth and beauty. There is so much to see and do, not least of all an impressive collection of Buddha images.

4. Ayutthaya

When Thailand was in its most glorious era, Ayutthaya was the capital and, you could say, the center of the world. The city was an incredible sight to behold until the Burmese invasion in 1767 that left it in ruins. Today, the remnants of Thailand’s golden years are here for all to see. Ayutthaya is a great place to walk around, and because it’s so compact you can hire a bicycle and see it all at your leisure. Be aware that it gets very hot, so take lots of water with you while you’re out and about.

Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitah is home to a large, bronze Buddha statue. Wat Phra Mahathat is the famous site of the rows of headless Buddha’s. They are amazing to see, and somewhat spooky in their decapitated states. The biggest bronze Buddha in Ayutthaya can be found a little outside of town at Wat Nah Phra Meru, while Wat Phanancherng boasts its own enormous statue. Ayutthaya is easy to get to, either by bus or by train. Accommodation can cost as little as 100 baht with most of the guesthouses on soi Torgorsor. The locals are all very friendly and there is a strong feeling of community in Ayutthaya.

5. Sukhotai

Sukhotai is a small city with a population of around 35,000. It is in lower northern Thailand and is the capital of the Sukhotai province. Old Sukhotai, about 12 kilometers west of today’s main city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where you’ll find the ruins of the ancient capital of the Sukhotai Kingdom. The old city has remained a permanent fixture on the tourist trail for years, not least of all because of the stunning Buddha images here. The Central Zone has been subject to extensive restoration, but the real delights can be found with a bit of exploration. The best way to see the ruins is to hire a bike and ride around by yourself.

Mat Mahathat has a large seated Buddha as well as two standing Buddha. Wat Sri Chum in the north zone has another enormous seated Buddha that’s great for taking pictures of. If you can get up early enough to see the sun rise, you’ll be able to witness the incredible effect the emerging sunlight has on the Buddha statues. There are plenty of budget places to stay and eat and Sukhotai is served by a small bus station.

The Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, though follow their own religions are still part of the Hindu way of life in that they worship the Hindu gods and goddesses and even name themselves after the Hindu names. Thus the term Hinduism, irrespective of the time and origin, represents the much older native culture and traditions of ancient India, comprising of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, etc.

Unlike the earlier Islamic invaders, known for violent way of promoting their religion by invading and destroying the local cultures and Christianity which is known for aggressive promotion through missionary activities, Hinduism is never known to have been promoted aggressively or purposively.Hindusim or people of the ancient culture of India have allowed religions like Buddhism to take root in India. In act Buddhism has not been promoted in other countries by Indians who traveled abroad, but it has been taken by those people from other countries who have traveled to India and back to their countries. Another great aspect of Hinduism is that it has promoted spirituality and recommended restraint in becoming overly materialistic. The knowledge gained by learned people, has been used for general good of the public (such as Ayurveda, Yoga etc). Even many traditional practices, have a scientific background relevant either to the olden times or even the present day. For example cow dung mixed with water is sprinkled in the front yard daily after sweeping and even the mud floors are applied with a dung paste periodically. Sprinkling dung mixed with water is known to be germicidal.