The reclining Buddha is 46 meters long (about 150 feet) and gold-plated, and represents the Buddha entering complete spiritual enlightenment. The soles of the statue’s feet are inlaid with exquisite mother-of-pearl, featuring a wheel (dharma) at the center of each foot, symbolizing cause and effect as well as a powerful chakra point where universal energy flows into the body.
These feet are further divided into 108 sections, showcasing auspicious symbols that identify the Buddha, such as flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers, and altar accessories. Around the Reclining Buddha is a corridor holding 108 bronze bowls, each representing one of the 108 auspicious characteristics of the Buddha. It is believed that donating coins into these bowls brings wealth and prosperity. These offerings support the Monks and community, helping maintain the temple’s important cultural activities.
The 45-metre long gold-plated reclining buddha is one of the many delightful surprises situated at Wat Pho Temple near the Grand Palace, Bangkok. The temple grounds are vast, encompassing a Thai Massage School, a school of Thai Medicine, and numerous elaborately decorated temples and shrines.
The outstanding feature, the recumbent statue, built by Rama III in 1832, is breathtaking, not only for its size and dazzling golden surface, but for its detail: glass mosaics, mother of pearl inlays on the soles of its feet, 108 bronze donation bowls situated along its length, and myriad auspicious symbols of Buddhism. The donations raised in the bowls contributes to the upkeep of Wat Pho.