Thai History

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Thai History Wat Chaiwattanaram is the first stop to Ayutthaya. We had breakfast before we walk around and took pictures. The wat was nearly totally ruined. It left only the uncompleted Buddhas and bricks. Wat Chaiwattanaram is a very real symbol of the artistic attainment of the Ayutthaya period. It was built during the reign of King Prasat Thong, a period of great prosperity arising out of much activity in foreign trade. It is believed that the wat is located on the site of his former home. The reason for his building this monastery was to make merit for his mother. The main prang is in the early Ayutthaya style. The four lesser prangs, however, are in the style of King Prasattong. They have seven levels. The form of eight lesser prangs might have been taken from the shape of a royal cremation tower in the Ayutthaya period. Its main stupa represents the restoration of ancient beliefs and traditions in depicting Mount Meru, the abode of gods and center of the universe, surrounded by smaller ones, as influenced by ancient Khmer architecture. Wat Chaiwatthanaram was a royal monastery. It is a wat where the king and his descendants would perform religious rites; thus renovation would have been continuous. It was also used as a cremation site for the princes, princesses, and the royal family. When prince Thammathibet died, for instance, King Borommakot decreed that an area in the wat be used as the site for his cremation. Chao Sam Phya National Museum was the second stop. We saw different types of money and buddhas, ceramic wares and left over gold. The Burmese took so many gold away from Ayutthaya and left only a little bit. There was a very special Buddha that was in a position of sitting on the chair. The Buddha was c... ... middle of paper ... ...with religion and temple such as learning, aims-giving, ordination, marriage and funeral. The cycle of seasons mirrored the way of life of Thai agricultural society with its own belief and social convention, born of nature, and base on Buddhist philosophy. The Oath of Allegiance Ceremony The Oath of Allegiance Ceremony has been an important state ceremony since Ayutthaya period. It integrates part of Buddhist and Brahmin ceremony. In the past, it was held 2 a year, on the 3rd day of the waxing moon of the 5th month and the thirteen-day of the waxing moon of the 10th month. The ceremonial site was at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. The ceremony began with Buddhist prayers. During the Brahmin ceremony, which followed, varior royal weapons were plugged into a bowl of consecrated water. After that, state officials swear their allegiance to the king and drank the sacred water.

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