A new Buddha rises above Bangkok

By THE NATION

 

 

Thonburi district in Bangkok unveiled its new landmark, an imposing statue of the Buddha that rises 69 metres above the ground -- about the height of a 20-storey building.

 

 

 

The statue, called ‘Dhammakaya Thep Mongkol Buddha’ at Paknam Bhasicharoen Temple, is made of copper, and corresponds with the image the former abbot saw in his dream.

 

The vice abbot explained that the construction of this Buddha statue was devoted to Buddhism in Thailand and to celebrate the unique Thai sculpture.

 

 

 

The foundation stone laying ceremony was held in 2017, and the construction was smooth until Covid-19 spread across Thailand. This statue was aimed to be finished within 2020.

 

Paknam Bhasicharoen Temple was shut amid the crisis, and reopened partly after the government announced the third phase of lockdown relaxation.

 

 

The full opening of this temple was estimated to be on Tuesday (June 16).

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389582

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-06-14

 

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20 stories, WOW! That's a lot of merit! ????

Congratulations guess  building a hospital or something  was not worthy of wasting  money on

26 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

corresponds with the image the former abbot saw in his dream.

 

Baht is  more  likely what he saw in his  dream. Buddah would be so proud of all  these  effigies.

Edited June 14, 20206 yr by bodga

Made of copper....it'll be bright green soon.

 

Come on anyone..........HOW MUCH?

57 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The full opening of this temple was estimated to be on Tuesday (June 16).

does that include tourists ? 

A new one here in North Chiang Mai, (small brother)..

 

 

Edited June 14, 20206 yr by Tarteso

More money spent by monks when people haven't got enough to eat, good move. No doubt the monks will still wander round at daybreak to take rice off those same poor people, after all, got to save all that money for useless symbols, mobile smart phones and nice cars. Hypocrisy at its best.  

Edited June 14, 20206 yr by Pilotman

2 hours ago, stouricks said:

Made of copper....it'll be bright green soon.

 

Come on anyone..........HOW MUCH?

too much 

Cant push that over easily.

Is it me, or does it look like a woman???

 

Construction of the government’s next major shrine, planned to be in excess of 100 meters, will begin shortly…

 

Just to point out that the title of this topic "A new Buddha rises above Bangkok" is offensive.  This is not a Buddha, but a Buddha figure or Buddha statue.

 

I doubt anyone would put "A new Jesus rises" or "A new Mohammed rises" as a title to a news piece.

4 hours ago, Pilotman said:

More money spent by monks when people haven't got enough to eat, good move. No doubt the monks will still wander round at daybreak to take rice off those same poor people, after all, got to save all that money for useless symbols, mobile smart phones and nice cars. Hypocrisy at its best.  

Don't blame the monks, blame the abbot.

2 hours ago, Queenslander said:

Is it me, or does it look like a woman???

Buddha was born in a male body, Buddhas are actually androgynous. Therefore Buddha statues have both male and female attributes, including breasts.

Looks pretty good actually, I'm against most Big Buddhas but this one looks like it might be making a statement. Love the style. 

It's down the street from where I live. Thai friend told me they had to halt construction back in February because the construction workers were mostly mainland Chinese and they decided to go home during the pandemic. 

50 minutes ago, Oxx said:

Just to point out that the title of this topic "A new Buddha rises above Bangkok" is offensive.  This is not a Buddha, but a Buddha figure or Buddha statue.

 

I doubt anyone would put "A new Jesus rises" or "A new Mohammed rises" as a title to a news piece.

I find  your  offense  offensive????

 

i think it looks ok, adds something to the otherwise pretty unaestheticly pleasing bangkok skyline

 

the same way cathedrals and mosques do in other major cities

8 hours ago, stouricks said:

Made of copper.... it'll be bright green soon. //

Your are right. Color will change as it did for the Liberty Statue, but it will take time.

 

The Liberty Statue had a dull brown color when in Paris, and when delivered to USA.

It took about 30 years to turn the color to its actual greenish color.

 

10 hours ago, stouricks said:

Made of copper....it'll be bright green soon.

So, there will be two Emerald Buddhas in Bangkok????

11 hours ago, stouricks said:

Made of copper....it'll be bright green soon.

 

Come on anyone..........HOW MUCH?

Will it then be an emerald green Buddha? But think of all the jobs that could be created polishing the statue to keep it copper ish

Edited June 14, 20206 yr by Emdog
ya beat me!

Made of copper? And then painted gold? Very unlikely.

3 hours ago, nausea said:

Looks pretty good actually, I'm against most Big Buddhas but this one looks like it might be making a statement. Love the style. 

I don't wish to be facetious, but what statement would that be?  The only statement it makes to me i'm afraid,  is money wasted on symbology, that doesn't put food in poor peoples mouths, or fix them when they can't afford health treatment, or takes care of them when they are old and  have no pension.  

Another Wat will be planning another bigger one right now, most of them have building going on and not much of it really needed

Pretty sure Buddha didn't want statues made to him.  Or people worshiping him.  However on another note, it is pretty cool.  Should bring in lots of tourists, someday.  

The real Buddha got lost in the hype a long time ago, as did the real Jesus. The only guy making it now days is Mohammed, and I'm sure he'd approve. 

22 hours ago, bodga said:

Congratulations guess  building a hospital or something  was not worthy of wasting  money on

Ah but think of how many sins were absolved in the merit making! ????

14 hours ago, nausea said:

I'm against most Big Buddhas but this one looks like it might be making a statement.

Yes, there's BIG money in religion! ????

Well. That should reduce the food handout queues.????