Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit () is a
Buddhist temple
A Buddhist temple or Buddhist monastery is the place of worship for Buddhism, Buddhists, the followers of Buddhism. They include the structures called vihara, chaitya, stupa, wat, khurul and pagoda in different regions and languages. Temples in B ...
in
Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...
, Thailand. It is one of only six
first-class royal temples of the ''ratchaworamahawihan'' grade in Thailand. Its monks belong to the
Mahā Nikāya.
History
Built during the
Ayutthaya period (1351–1767), the temple was then known as Wat Salak. Soon after Bangkok was established as the capital of
Siam, the temple became strategically situated between the newly built
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace (, Royal Institute of Thailand. (2011). ''How to read and how to write.'' (20th Edition). Bangkok: Royal Institute of Thailand. . ) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the officia ...
and
Front Palace
Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Sathan Mongkhon , colloquially known as the Front Palace (, ), was the title of the ''uparaja'' of Siam, variously translated as "viceroy", "vice king" or "Lord/Prince of the Front Palace", as the titleholder resided ...
(residence of the
vice-king). As a result, the temple was used for royal ceremonies and funerals.
Throughout the past two centuries, the temple has been renovated and elevated in status by many Thai kings and royalties. It became the Wat Mahathat of Bangkok in 1803 and was given its current name in 1996. The temple is also home to Vipassana Meditation centre.
[Emmons 2008, p. 66]
University
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand's oldest higher education institute for Buddhist monks, is on the temple grounds.
[Liedtke 2011, p. 58] This is one of the most important universities in Thailand, split into faculty of human sciences, social sciences, an international programme, and a graduate college.
The first class was admitted in 1889 and by 1997, both universities became public universities.
Media
File:พระอุโบสถวัดมหาธาตุ.jpg, Phra ubosot
File:ภายในพระอุโบสถวัดมหาธาตุ.jpg, Interior of the Phra ubosot
File:พระวิหารวัดมหาธาตุ.jpg, Phra vihara
File:พระมณฑปวัดมหาธาตุ.jpg, Phra mondop
File:Buddhist monk in Wat Mahathat (Bangkok).jpg, Buddha idols along a walkway
File:Wat mahathat bkk 05.jpg, Wat Mahathat temple building
File:Watmahathatbkk0609c.jpg, Pagoda
File:01 Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.jpg, Mahachulalongkornrajavi-dyalaya University
File:Watmahathatbkk0609b.jpg, Temple roof
File:MCU1.jpg, Thai PM at the time, Phibul (centre), joining the graduation ceremony of the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya's first class.
File:พระพรหมวชิราธิบดี.jpg, Abbot
Notes
References
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External links
Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Dhammathai)Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara (Bangkok Tourist)
Mahathat
Phra Nakhon district
Thai Theravada Buddhist temples and monasteries
Registered ancient monuments in Bangkok
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