United Nations Day of Vesak 2013

	About UNDV Story of each Vesak Celebrations

	UNDV History History of UN Day of Vesak Celebrations

	ICDV EXCO International Council of the United Nations Day of Vesak

	IABU EXCO International Association of Buddhist Universities

	IABU/ICDV OFFICE Officers and Location

	Project Background & Objectives

	Bangkok Declaration on The International Celebration on the Occasion of United Nations Day of Vesak

	Panel Discussion on the Main Theme: Education and Global Citizenship: A Buddhist Perspective Keynote Speaker Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister
	Speakers Venerable Professor Mahinda Deegalle Most Ven. Bhikkuni SHI RURUI Jack Miller Jamie Cresswell Moderators Venerable Assoc. Prof. Phra Sigambhirayan, Ph.D. Venerable Phra Khammai Dhammasami

Panel Discussion on the Theme:
Contribution of Buddhist Sangha for Education and Humanity

Venerable Ashin Nyanissara
Venerable Seck Kwang Phing
Venerable Phramaha Anilaman Dhammasakiyo, Ph.D
SUAH KIM (Bhikkhuni Soun )
Prof. Chandima Wijebandara

Moderators
Venerable Dr. Tampalawela Dhammaratana
Phra Rajavaramuni

	The President of Supreme Sangha Council Committee of Thailand Somdej Phra Sangharaj Sakol Mahasanghaparinayok
	The President of IABU/ICDV The Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit
	The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon
	The Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova
	President of the Privy Council and Statesman H.E. General Prem Tinsulanonda
	Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra

	Prime Minister of Australia The Honourable Julia Eileen Gillard
	Prime Minister of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
	Sangha Supreme Council Message
	Council of Ministers Messages
	Messages from The Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Thailand
	VIP Messages
	Organization Messages

	United Nations Conference Centre Information

	Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU)

	Phutthamonthon

	Hotel & Accommodations

	Suvarnabhumi Airport

	Temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Phra Kaew

	Ayutthaya World Heritage

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	Live Broadcasting United Nations Day of Vesak 2013 Live

	Video Broadcasting United Nations Day of Vesak 2013 Video Highlight

	Press Released 2013's Press Collection

	Gallery View Photo from the Event

	Media Download Logo and High Quality Photo

	Books View & Download Academic books

	Music

	Exhibitions Read & View Exhibitions's Theme and Concepts

	Biography Brief Biography of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara The Supreme Patriarch of Thailand (Suvaddhana Mahãthera Charoen Gajavatra)

	Celebration Documentary on His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand

	Panel Discussion on the Theme: Contribution of Buddhist Sangha for Education and Humanity

	View & Download Books On The Celebration of the100^th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara The Supreme Patriarch of Thailand 3^rd October 2013

Wat Phra Kaew

United Nations Conference Centre
Information

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU)

Phutthamonthon

Hotel & Accommodations

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat Phra Kaew

Ayutthaya World Heritage

Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The Wat Phra Kaew, Temple of the Emerald Buddha; full official name Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. It is a "potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thai society". It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), within the precincts of the Grand Palace.

The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the statue of Emerald Buddha. The legendary history of this Buddha image is traced to India, five centuries after the Lord Buddha attained Nirvana, till it was finally enshrined in Bangkok at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in 1782 during Rama I's reign (1782–1809). This marked the beginning and raise of the Chakri Dynasty of the present Kingdom of Thailand (the present head of the dynasty is King Rama IX.

The Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue, is in a standing form, about 66 centimetres (26 in) tall, carved from a single jade stone (Emerald in Thai means deep green colour and not the specific stone). It is carved in the meditating posture in the style of the Lanna school of the northern Thailand. Except for the Thai King, no other person is allowed to touch the statue. The King changes the cloak around the statue three times a year, corresponding to the summer, winter, and rainy seasons, an important ritual performed to usher good fortune to the country during each season.

While legend traces this statue to India, its rich historical records dates its finding in Cambodia in the 15th century, moved to Laos in the 16th century and then to Vientiane where it remained for 215 years, and finally to Thailand in the 18th century. Considering the long history and Nagasena's (a Brahmin who became a Buddhist sage and lived about 150 BC) prophesy that the Emerald Buddha would bring "prosperity and pre-eminence to each country in which it resides", the Emerald Buddha deified in the Wat Phra Kaew is deeply revered and venerated in Thailand as the protector of the country.

Map of Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok, Thailand

1.The Ubosot containig the Emerald Buddha - พระอุโบสถ

2.Twelve small open Pavilions - ศาลาราย

3.Viharn of the Gandhara Buddha image - หอพระคันธารราษฏร์

4.Belfry - หอระฆัง

5.Hor Racha Pongsanusorn - หอราชพงศานุสรณ์

6.Phra Photithat Piman - พระโพธิ์ธาตุพิมาน

7.Ho Racha Koramanusorn - หอราชกรมานุสรณ์

8.Figure of the seated hermit - พระฤๅษี

9.The Royal Pantheon - ปราสาทพระเทพบิดร

10.Two gilt chedis - พระสุวรรณเจดีย์

11.Phra Mondop (the Library) - พระมณฑป

12.Phra Si Rattana Chedi - พระศรีรัตนเจดีย์

13.Model of Angkor Wat - นครวัดจำลอง

14.Monument of Kings Rama I, II and III - พระบรมราชสัญลักษณ์ 9 รัชกาล

15.Monument of King Rama IV - พระบรมราชสัญลักษณ์ 9 รัชกาล

16.Monument of King Rama V - พระบรมราชสัญลักษณ์ 9 รัชกาล

17.Monument of Kings Rama VI, VII, VIII and IX - พระบรมราชสัญลักษณ์ 9 รัชกาล

18.Ho Phra Monthien Tham (the Supplementary Library) - หอมณเฑียรธรรม

19.Viharn Yod - พระเศวตกุฏาคารวิหารยอด

20.Viharn Phra Nak - หอพระนาก

21.Eight prang - พระปรางค์

22.Galleries - พระระเบียง

23.Twelve statues of Giants - ยักษ์ทวารบาล

Map & Location

Address:
Na Phralan Road Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District Phra Nakhon District Bangkok 10200
Opening Hours: 8.30 am to 3.30 pm
Dress Code: no short pants or short skirts, not sleeveless tshirts. Sarong are for rent at the entrance but better dress appropriately to avoid the queue.

Gallery