Phutthamonthon ( Thai : พุทธมณฑล , pronounced [pʰút.tʰā.mōn.tʰōn] ; also spelled Buddha Monthon ; from Sanskrit Buddha Máṇḍala , 'Buddha's sphere') is a Buddhist park in Salaya subdistrict of Phutthamonthon district , Nakhon Pathom province , Thailand . The park is situated just outside the western border of Bangkok . It is highlighted by a 15.87 metres (52.1 feet) high statue of Gautama Buddha by Corrado Feroci .
44-614: The park was created in 1957 (the year 2500 in the Thai Buddhist Era ) on the basis of an idea of Thailand's prime minister, Phibunsongkhram . The park covers an area of about 400 hectares , which in traditional Thai units is 2500 rai . Construction started 29 July 1955, and the park was inaugurated on the Vaisakh Bucha day, 13 May 1957. After a long pause, construction on the park resumed in 1976. The main Buddha statue
88-476: A sacred and a popular ( vulgar in the classical sense). The vulgar or minor era ( จุลศักราช , chula sakarat ) was thought to have been instituted when the worship of Gautama was first introduced, and corresponds to the traditional Burmese calendar (abbreviated ME or BE, the latter not to be confused with the abbreviation for the Buddhist Era, which is the sacred era.) King Chulalongkorn decreed
132-691: A change in vulgar reckoning to the Rattanakosin Era ( รัตนโกสินทรศก , Rattanakosin Sok abbreviated ร.ศ. and R.S.) in 1889 CE. The epoch (reference date) for Year 1 was 6 April 1782 with the accession of Rama I , the foundation of the Chakri dynasty , and the founding of Bangkok (Rattanakosin) as capital. To convert years in R.S. to the Common Era, add 1781 for dates from 6 April to December, and 1782 for dates from January to 5 April. In Thailand
176-530: A monk temporarily, in accordance with Siamese custom. In 1760, he married Nak , daughter of a town patron in Samut Sakorn. He was later appointed the Luang Yokkrabat (deputy governor) of Ratchaburi Province by King Ekkathat in 1758. On the eve of the fall of Ayutthaya, Phraya Wachiraprakan (later King Taksin ) had foreseen that the fall of the city was certain. Wachiraprakan decided to break
220-675: A note. Ánh managed to recapture Saigon by 1788 and later ascended as Emperor Gia Long in 1802. In 1794, upon Ang Eng's majority, Rama I reinstalled him as the Neareay Reachea III. The area around Siem Reap and Battambang was annexed by Siam, and were governed by Abhaya Bhubet. However, Rama I allowed these territories to be ruled in accordance with Cambodian traditions. Soon King Bodawpaya of Burma started to pursue his ambitious campaigns to expand his dominions over Siam. The Burmese–Siamese War (1785–1786) , also known in Siam as
264-467: A revival of Siamese culture and state organization following the collapse of the Siamese kingdom in 1767, whose capital was then situated at Ayutthaya. He established a new purified Buddhist sect which allied and tied together Buddhism and the monarchy. Rama I consolidated and expanded on Taksin's military campaigns throughout Mainland Southeast Asia, whose mandala in 1809 stretched as far North and South as
308-567: A strategic plan and under it recaptured Ayutthaya in one year. In 1768 Taksin crowned himself and founded the Kingdom of Thonburi on the west bank of the mouth of the Chao Phraya river, using Thonburi as a new capital. Under the new Thonburi regime, Thongduang was appointed head of the royal police department, bearing the title Phra Ratcharin . After subjugating the warlord of Phimai with his brother Bunma (at that time called Phra Mahamontri,
352-666: Is 1351. In computer programming, using the Buddhist era has sometimes caused the computer programs to void the license immediately, as the input values of the Buddhist era would exceed the expiration date for the program. Some users report that dates appear in future dates, due to the input data being the Buddhist era, while the computer is designed to accept Anno Domini . Rama I Phra Bat Somdet Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok Maharat ( Thai : พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลกมหาราช , 20 March 1737 – 7 September 1809), personal name Thongduang ( ทองด้วง ), also known as Rama I ,
396-527: Is 542; otherwise, it is 543. Example: Today, both the Common Era New Year's Day (1 January) and the traditional Thai New Year ( สงกรานต์ , Songkran ) celebrations (13–15 April) are public holidays in Thailand. In the traditional Thai calendar , the change to the next Chinese zodiacal animal occurs at Songkran (now fixed at 13 April.) For Thai Chinese communities in Thailand, however,
440-403: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a Thai building or structure is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Thai solar calendar The Thai solar calendar ( Thai : ปฏิทินสุริยคติไทย , RTGS : patithin suriyakhati thai , "solar calendar") was adopted by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1888 CE as the Siamese version of
484-469: Is the counting of the Buddhist era, which has changed several times in the past, including the inclusion of year 0, and the change of New Year's Day from April to January in 1941, has caused confusion in historical context as well. For example, many Thai people regard the establishment of the Ayutthaya Kingdom to be in 1350, which is direct conversion from Buddhist era 1893, while the actual date
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#1732783357353528-500: The Chinese calendar determines the day that a Chinese New Year begins, and assumes the name of the next animal in the twelve-year animal cycle . Names of the months derive from Hindu astrology names for the signs of the zodiac . Thirty-day-month names end in -ayon ( -ายน ), from Sanskrit root āyana : the arrival of; 31-day-month names end in -akhom ( -าคม ), from Sanskrit āgama (cognate to English "come") that also means
572-651: The Gregorian calendar , replacing the Thai lunar calendar as the legal Thai calendar (though the latter is still also used, especially for traditional and religious events). Years are now counted in the Buddhist Era (B.E.): พุทธศักราช , พ.ศ. RTGS : Phutthasakkarat (lit. ' era of the Shaka Buddha ') which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. The Siamese generally used two calendars,
616-731: The Shan States and the Northern Malay Peninsula and as far East as the Annamite Range , respectively. His reign also marked the beginning of a new "Golden Age of Culture", which continued in the footsteps of the blossoming of the arts during the Late Ayutthaya Period. Like other high-ranking figures of old Siam, Rama I's name changed several times during his lifetime, depending on his respective position, and even posthumously. His name at birth
660-521: The "Nine Armies War" because the Burmese came in nine armies, broke out. The Burmese soldiers poured into Lanna and Northern Siam. Siamese forces, commanded by Kawila, Prince of Lampang , put up a brave fight and delayed the Burmese advance, all the while waiting for reinforcements from Bangkok. When Phitsanulok was captured, Anurak Devesh the Rear Palace , and Rama I himself led Siamese forces to
704-642: The Chakri dynasty the name Rama together with the respective ordinal number. So this king is Rama I in Western literature. In 1982, 200 years after his accession, the Thai cabinet decided to award him the epithet Maharat (" The Great "). Thongduang was born in 1737 in the reign of King Boromakot of Ayutthaya. His father was Thongdi , a Mon noble serving the royal court (posthumously raised to Somdet Phra Prathom Borommahachonnok – "the grand primordial father") who
748-489: The Chao Phraya river for several reasons, including its better strategic location and a desire to promote his legitimacy by starting from a clean slate. He decided to name his new capital "Rattanakosin" ("Keeping place of the Emerald Buddha "). Rama I also raised various members of his family to royalty. He appointed his brother Surasi (Anuchit Raja) or Maha Sura Singhanat as the " Front Palace " (conventional title of
792-471: The Phraya Sun with his forces. Later sources widely reported that the general eventually executed the ousted Taksin, contradicting to some earlier sources. He then seized power and made himself King, establishing the Chakri dynasty , which continues to rule Thailand to this day. General Maha Kasatsuek crowned himself on 6 April 1782. Soon after, he decided to move the capital of Siam to the east bank of
836-784: The Presiding Buddha of the Beautiful Phutthamonthon') by King Bhumibol Adulyadej . Around the statue are sites memorialising the four main stations in the life of Buddha : his birth symbolized by seven lotus flowers, his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree , his first sermon, and his death. Another important building is the marble viharn, which contains the entire Buddhist canon engraved in 1418 marble stelas. 13°46′34″N 100°19′15″E / 13.77611°N 100.32083°E / 13.77611; 100.32083 This Nakhon Pathom Province location article
880-461: The Siamese forces to face Bodawpaya. The fighting was very short and Bodawpaya was quickly defeated. This short war was called the Tha Din Daeng campaign . King Rama I died on 7 September 1809 after a short but acute illness; he was succeeded by his son Prince Isarasundhorn as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai or Rama II. Siam during the reign of Rama I reached a new height of power not seen since
924-508: The Siamese in the same year. He was eventually raised to Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Kasatsuek , the first official to ever hold this rank. In 1781, he went on the campaigns against Cambodia, only to return prematurely due to the instability of Thonburi. The rebellion of Phraya Sun had broken out and the rebels deposed King Taksin. Some sources report that Taksin was consigned to a monastery. After arriving in Thonburi in 1782, Chao Phraya defeated
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#1732783357353968-579: The arrival of. February's name ends in - phan ( -พันธ์ ), from Sanskrit bandha : "fettered" or "bound". The day added to February in a solar leap year is Athikasuratin ( อธิกสุรทิน , respelled to aid pronunciation ( อะทิกะสุระทิน ) from Sanskrit adhika : additional; sura : move). Using Buddhist era could easily cause confusion between itself and Anno Domini in the historical context. For example, Anno Domini 2024, and Buddhist year 2024 (which corresponds to AD 1481). Two-digit year numbering could cause even more confusion. Another problem
1012-533: The citizens of the area to take up arms against the Burmese; his campaign was also successful. Phra Maha was later raised to the nobility by Rama I. As his armies were destroyed, Bodawpaya retreated. The next year, he attacked again, this time constituting his troops as a single army. With this force Bodawpaya passed through the Chedi Sam Ong pass and settled in Tha Din Daeng. The Front Palace marched
1056-470: The founder of Rattanakosin (now Bangkok ) as the new capital of the reunited kingdom. Rama I, whose given name was Thongduang, was born from a Mon male line descent family, great-grandson of Kosa Pan . His father served in the royal court of the Ayutthaya Kingdom . Thongduang and his younger brother Boonma served King Taksin in wars against the Burmese Konbaung dynasty and helped him in
1100-486: The future Maha Sura Singhanat ), he was raised to Phraya Aphairanarit . After the campaign to subdue the lord of Fang in 1769, Thongduang was raised to Phraya Yommarat and in the next year became Chao Phraya Chakri – the Samuhanayok (chief minister of the northern provinces). Chakri commanded the Siamese troops in the wars against Burma and went on to subjugate Cambodia . His brother Bunma (who by that time held
1144-630: The last of the Nguyễn Lords , Nguyễn Ánh , convinced Rama I to give him forces to attack Vietnam, which was then under the control of the Tây Sơn brothers. However, the joint Nguyễn-Siam fleet was destroyed in the Battle of Rach Gam–Xoai Mut in the Mekong Delta region. Nguyễn's appeal for Siamese assistance enabled the Siamese to exert considerable political influence over Nguyễn's court. Mac Tu Sinh ,
1188-422: The local people and successfully defended Thalang against the Burmese. Today, Chan and Mook are revered as heroines because of their opposition to the Burmese invasions. In their own lifetimes, Rama I bestowed on them the titles Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon . The Burmese proceeded to capture Songkhla . Upon hearing the news, the governors of Phatthalung fled. However, a monk named Phra Maha encouraged
1232-458: The north. The Siamese relieved Lampang from the Burmese siege. In the south, Bodawpaya was waiting at Chedi Sam Ong ready to attack. The Front Palace was ordered to lead his troops to the south and counter-attack the Burmese coming to Ranong through Nakhon Si Thammarat . He brought the Burmese to battle near Kanchanaburi . The Burmese also attacked Thalang ( Phuket ), where the governor had just died. Chan, his wife, and her sister Mook gathered
1276-507: The place of the former. New Year , the time at which a new calendar year begins and the calendar's year count is incremented, originally coincided with the date calculated for Songkran , when the Sun transits the constellation of Aries , the first astrological sign in the Zodiac as reckoned by sidereal astrology : thus the year commenced on 11 April 1822. As previously noted, Rama VI moved
1320-498: The reunification of Siam. During this time he emerged as Siam's most powerful military leader. Thongduang was the first Somdet Chao Phraya , the highest rank the nobility could attain, equaled to that of royalty. In 1782, he took control of Siam and crowned himself as the monarch. The most famous event in his reign was the Burmese–Siamese War (1785–1786) , which was the last major Burmese assault on Siam. Rama I's reign marked
1364-418: The sacred, or Buddhist Era , is reckoned to have an epochal year 0 from 11 March 543 BC, believed to be the date of the death of Gautama Buddha . King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) changed year counting to this Buddhist Era (abbreviated BE) and moved the start of the year back to 1 April in 2455 BE, 1912 CE. As there is no longer any reference to a vulgar or popular era, the Common Era may be presumed to have taken
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1408-669: The sides of the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaeo and dedicated one each to his father and grandfather. He demanded to refer to his two predecessors using the names of these Buddha statues. The one dedicated to the first Chakri king was named Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok ("the Buddha on top of the sky and the crown of the worlds"). This is how this king is still referred to in Thai history books. His descendant Vajiravudh (Rama VI) who had studied in England, realised that most Siamese kings' names were difficult to reproduce and remember for Westerners. He therefore disposed to use for all kings of
1452-648: The siege of the city of Ayutthaya by the Burmese army and establish a new base outside. Phraya Ratchaburi also joined this venture. In 1767, Ayutthaya under King Ekkathat fell to Burmese invaders, the city was completely destroyed; burned and looted. Local warlords rose up to establish their supremacy in the absence of a central authority. Despite the fall of Ayutthaya, Taksin and his men in the same year managed to capture Chantaburi and Trat . During this time Phraya Ratchaburi became one of Taksin's six ministers and together with Phraya Pichai they were regarded by Taksin as his two most valuable generals. Swiftly Taksin made
1496-583: The son of Mạc Thiên Tứ and his Siamese wife, was raised among the Siamese, and held office as the governor of Hà Tiên until his death in 1787. Ngo Ma, a general of Siamese descent, was appointed as its acting governor in Mac's place. Nguyễn Ánh also took refuge in Siam at the King's court waiting for the opportunities to defeat Tây Sơn. These episodes demonstrated Rama I's willingness to extend Siamese power beyond his Kingdom. In Cambodia , King Reamraja (Ang Non II)
1540-424: The start of the year back to 1 April in 2455 BE, 1912 CE, so that 130 R.S. only lasted for 356 days from 11 April 1911 to 31 March 1912. On 6 September 1940, Prime Minister Phibunsongkhram decreed 1 January 1941 as the start of the year 2484 BE, so year 2483 BE had only nine months running from 1 April to 31 December 1940. To convert dates from 1 January to 31 March prior to that year, the number to add or subtract
1584-911: The throne in 1782, he took the name Ramathibodi , just like the founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom . His full title was much longer ( Phra Borommarachathirat Ramathibodi Sisin Borommaha Chakkraphat Rachathibodin etc.), intended to demonstrate his universal claim to power like of earlier Siamese kings. After his death, the people referred to him simply as Phaendin Ton ("the first reign"), to his son as Phaendin Klang ("the middle reign"). Continuing this system consequently, his grandson Rama III would have been "the last reign". To avoid this inauspicious title, he ended this practice by donating two Buddha statues that were placed to
1628-437: The title of Phraya Anuchit Raja), accompanied him in various campaigns. Chakri and his brother were sent to the north to Lan Na in 1774 to free the kingdom from Burmese rule with the help of Phraya Kawila , a prince from Lampang . In 1776, he conquered Khmer Pa Dong (around modern Surin ). He was assigned the task of conquering Lao kingdoms in 1778 and all the three kingdoms ( Vientiane , Luang Prabang , Champasak ) fell to
1672-485: The titles of Phra Ratcharin Chao Krom Phra Tamruat (head of the police department), Phraya Aphaironnarit , Phraya Yommarat , Phraya Chakri and Chaophraya Chakri (minister of the northern provinces). Finally Taksin created him the title of Somdet Chaophraya Maha Kasatsuek , a noble title as high as no Siamese official had born before him, making him quasi-royalty. When he ascended to
1716-464: The viceroy and heir presumptive) and his nephew Thong-In or Anurak Devesh as the "Rear Palace". The King had 42 children. Ten of these were born to Queen Amarinda, the others by various concubines. The Queen's children included Prince Isarasundhorn, later King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) (whom the King appointed as Front Palace after the death of Maha Sura Singhanat in 1803), Prince Maha Senanurak and Prince Maha Sakdi Polsep . In 1784–1785,
1760-649: Was Phra Akson Sunthonsat (Royal Secretary of northern Siam, Keeper of the Royal Seal). Phra Akson Sunthonsat was also a descendant of Kosa Pan , the leader of King Narai 's embassy to the French court. His mother, Daoreung (original name Yok), was part-Chinese. Thongduang had six other siblings. Thongduang at a young age entered the Royal Palace as one of the royal pages of King Uthumphon , where he met his childhood friend Taksin. In 1757, aged 21, he became
1804-411: Was Thongduang (also spelled Thong Duang ทองด้วง), family names had not yet been introduced in Siam at that time. When Thongduang served as deputy governor of Ratchaburi Province during the rule of King Ekkathat of Ayutthaya , he bore the title of Luang Yokkrabat . After the demise of Ayutthaya, the new king Taksin to whom he served as an important military commander, awarded him successively
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1848-594: Was built after that time. Already designed in 1955 by art professor Silpa Bhirasri , the statue was cast in 1981. The Leela Attitude statue, 15.875 m high and at the centre of the park, was given the name Phra Si Sakkaya Thotsaphonlayan Prathan Phutthamonthon Suthat ( Thai : พระศรีศากยะทศพลญาณ ประธานพุทธมณฑลสุทรรศน์ , literally 'the Graceful Statue of the Shakyamuni who was of the Tenfold Power ,
1892-590: Was deposed in 1779 and the throne was given to the young prince Ang Eng . However, the pro-Vietnamese policies of certain Cambodian aristocrats under Ang Eng alarmed Rama I. As a result, Rama I had Ang Eng captured and deported to Bangkok, where Rama adopted him as his son, the purpose of which was to impose pro-Siamese sentiments on him. Rama I also imposed Chao Phraya Abhaya Bhubet as the Regent of Cambodia. Nguyễn Ánh secretly left for Vietnam in 1787, leaving Rama I
1936-491: Was the founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (now Thailand) and the first King of Siam from the reigning Chakri dynasty . His full title in Thai is Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramoruracha Maha Chakri Boromanat Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok ( พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรโมรุราชามหาจักรีบรมนารถ พระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก ). He ascended the throne in 1782, following the deposition of King Taksin of Thonburi . He was also celebrated as
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