{{Short description|Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand}} {{Infobox religious building | name = Wat Benchamabophit | native_name = | image = Wat Benjamabophit1.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | map_type = Thailand Bangkok | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = Location in Bangkok | location = Dusit District, Bangkok | coordinates = {{coord|13|45|59.7|N|100|30|50.7|E|display=inline,title}} | religious_affiliation = [[Theravada]] [[Buddhism]] | deity = | country = Thailand | functional_status = | website = | architect = [[Narisara Nuwattiwong|Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong]]<ref name="Spooner">Spooner 2011</ref> | year_completed ={{start date and age| 1911}}<ref name="Spooner"/> }}
'''Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram''' ({{langx|th|วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนาราม}}; {{pronunciation|TH-Wat Benchamabophit.ogg}}) is a [[Buddhist]] [[temple]] ([[wat]]) located in the [[Dusit District]] of [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]]. Also known as the '''Marble Temple''', it is one of the city's most renowned religious landmarks and a major tourist attraction. The temple is celebrated for its refined architectural composition, exemplifying Bangkok's ornate style with high [[gable]]s, multi-tiered roofs, and elaborate [[finial]]s. Its layout and decorative program reflect a synthesis of traditional Thai aesthetics with subtle European influences introduced during the reign of [[Chulalongkorn]].<ref name="Rangan">{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Rangan |title=Bangkok’s Wat Benchamabophit, known for its stunning architecture, is unique and elegant |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/wat-benchamabophit-or-the-marble-temple-in-bangkok-is-an-architectural-beauty-with-european-influence/cid/1901534 |access-date=26 October 2023 |agency=My Kolkata |publisher=The Telegraph |date=2 December 2022}}</ref><ref>Norwich 2001, p. 266</ref>
==Construction== Construction of the temple began in 1899 at the request of King [[Chulalongkorn]] after building his palace nearby. The temple's name literally means 'the Temple of the fifth King located near [[Dusit Palace]]'.<ref name="Rangan"/> It was designed by [[Narisaranuvadtivongs|Prince Naris]], a half-brother of the king, and is built of Italian [[marble]].<ref name="Spooner"/> It has display of Carrara marble pillars, a marble courtyard and two large ''singhas'' (lions) guarding the entrance to the bot. The interiors are decorated with crossbeams of lacquer and gold, and in shallow niches in the walls of paintings of important ''[[stupas]]'' all over the country.<ref name="Spooner"/> The cloister around the assembly hall houses 52 images of Buddha.<ref name="Spooner"/>
==The temple== [[File:01-วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร.jpg|thumb|left|The Ordination Hall]] The ordination hall (''[[ubosot]]'') was designed and supervised by Prince [[Narisara Nuwattiwong]] in a cruciform plan, with an elongated eastern porch and side porches linking to the surrounding cloister. Its design combines traditional Thai and Khmer-inspired forms with Western elements: multi-tiered, ornamented roofs and carved gilt pediments on each façade follow Thai convention, while the cloister, barred blind windows and boundary stones (''[[Bai sema|sema]]'') show Khmer influence. The hall stands within a balustraded enclosure, with lotus-bud and [[Dharmachakra]] boundary markers set in pink and grey granite paving. Italian marble facing and stained-glass panels above the windows, which admit coloured light into the interior in a manner reminiscent of Christian churches, reflect Western influence.<ref>ศักดิ์ชัย สายสิงห์. (2566). '''คู่มือนำชม ๓๓ พระอารามหลวงแห่งกรุงรัตนโกสินทร์'''. กรุงเทพ: สำนักพิมพ์เมืองโบราณ. 437–441</ref>
==Replica of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat== [[File:พระพุทธชินราชจำลองในพระอุโบสถวัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร2.jpg|thumb|right|Replica of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat inside the ''[[ubosot]]'']] Inside the ordination hall stands the principal Buddha image, a Sukhothai-style statue known as ''Phra Buddhajinaraja''. Modelled on the original at [[Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat]] in [[Phitsanulok]], it was cast in 1920 and is a copy of ''Phra Buddha Chinarat'', the renowned Buddha image enshrined in Phitsanulok in northern Thailand.<ref name="Emmons">Emmons 2008, p. 58</ref> The ashes of King [[Chulalongkorn]] are interred beneath the statue.
The replica of ''Phra Phuttha Chinnarat'' was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who wished to install a Buddha image of exceptional beauty as the principal image of the ''ubosot''. He held particular admiration for the original image at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, which he had visited with his father, King [[Mongkut]] (Rama IV), during his novice ordination in 1866. King Chulalongkorn assigned Prince [[Damrong Rajanubhab]] to supervise the casting, with Phra Prasit Pattima as the principal craftsman. The image was cast in Phitsanulok using melted, decommissioned brass cannons; the casting ceremony began on 20 October 1901, and the completed image was enshrined at Wat Benchamabophit on 13 December 1901, followed by an eye-opening ritual and consecration.<ref>ศักดิ์ชัย สายสิงห์. (2566). '''คู่มือนำชม ๓๓ พระอารามหลวงแห่งกรุงรัตนโกสินทร์'''. กรุงเทพ: สำนักพิมพ์เมืองโบราณ. 445–446</ref>
The replica belongs to the Sukhothai "Phra Phuttha Chinnarat" subgroup. It depicts the Buddha in the ''māra-vijaya'' posture, with an egg-shaped face, small curls of hair, a flame-like aureole, broad shoulders and a narrow waist. A slender strip of the ''sanghati'' descends to the navel and splits into two inward-curving tips, while the fingers of the right hand are of equal length.<ref>ศักดิ์ชัย สายสิงห์. (2566). '''คู่มือนำชม ๓๓ พระอารามหลวงแห่งกรุงรัตนโกสินทร์'''. กรุงเทพ: สำนักพิมพ์เมืองโบราณ. 445–446</ref>
In the gallery surrounding the ordination hall are 52 Buddha statues, each displaying a different ''[[mudra]]'' (gesture), collected by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab for his king.<ref name="Emmons"/> The temple complex also contains the Benchamabophit National Museum. The image of the temple's façade appears on the reverse of the [[Five-baht coin|five-baht coin]] of the Thai currency, and the temple served as the tenth and final elimination pit stop on ''[[The Amazing Race 9]]''.<ref name="Emmons"/>
==Canal== Along the side of the marble ubosot of Wat Benchamabophit runs a small canal (''[[khlong]]'') crossed by three bridges: ''Saphan Phra Rup'' (สะพานพระรูป), ''Saphan Thuai'' (สะพานถ้วย), and ''Saphan Ngan'' (สะพานเงิน).
<gallery mode="packed" heights="250px"> File:วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร กรุงเทพมหานคร (26).jpg|Bridge over the canal beside the marble ubosot. File:วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร เขตดุสิต กรุงเทพมหานคร.JPG|''Saphan Phra Rup'': plaque noting the bridge was funded by Prince Sanphasat Suphakit from proceeds of selling gilded embossed copper plaques; built in R.S. 119 (1900) and completed in R.S. 121 (1902). File:Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram Temple Photographs by Peak Hora (52).jpg|Inscription on ''Saphan Thuai'' (Cup Bridge): funded by proceeds from the sale of gilded tea cups from the royal cremation ceremony; dedicated by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in R.S. 119 (1900) and completed in R.S. 121 (1902). </gallery>
==Worship and festivals== Merit makers come to the monks of the temple for getting alms every morning. Between 06:00–07:30 in the morning, monks line up on Nakhon Pathom with their bowls to receive donations of curry, rice, lotus buds, incense, toiletries and other essentials.<ref name="Ridout">Ridout 2009</ref> The evening candlelight procession around the bot during the Buddhist festivals of [[Magha Puja]] (in February) and [[Visakha Puja]] (in May) are common at this temple.<ref name="Ridout"/>
==Protection== In 2005, the temple was submitted to [[UNESCO]] for consideration as a future [[World Heritage Site]].
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Wat Benjamabopit 3.jpg|The marble ordination hall (''[[ubosot]]'') File:Wat benjamabopit 01.jpg|The cloister, with rows of hanging bells along the eaves. File:(2022) วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร เขตดุสิต กรุงเทพมหานคร Wat Benjamabopit (9).jpg|The cloister File:(2019) วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร เขตดุสิต กรุงเทพมหานคร (2).jpg|''[[khlong]]'' and the ''ubosot'' File:Watbenchamasalanam.jpg|"[[Sala (Thai architecture)|Sala]] Nam" at khlong in temple compound File:Marble-temple-ordainment.jpg|A new monk is [[Ordination|ordained]] in the temple, January 2005 File:Marble-temple-monks-inside.jpg|[[Monk]]s as seen from the outside (photography is not permitted inside the temple) File:Wat Benchamabophit ubosot.jpg|In front of The Marble Temple File:The Marble Temple-Door (Bangkok).jpg|The temple door with elaborate design File:Wat Benchamabophit 10 (2019).jpg|Window with Thai-style ornamentation File:Wat Benchamabophit 15.jpg|Interior stained glass windows of the Ubosot File:พระที่นั่งทรงผนวชวัดเบญจมบพิตร.jpg|Phra Thinang Song Phanot, a royal pavilion within Wat Benchamabophit File:พระที่นั่งทรงธรรม วัดเบญจมบพิตร.jpg|Phra Thinang Song Tham, a royal pavilion within Wat Benchamabophit File:หอระฆังบวรวงศ์วัดเบญจมบพิตร.jpg|Bowarawong Bell Tower </gallery>
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==References== {{Refbegin}} *{{Citation |last=Spooner|first=Andrew |author2=Hana Borrowman |author3=William Baldwin |title=Footprint Thailand |year=2011|publisher=Footprint Books|location=UK |isbn=978-1-904777-94-6|pages=103–104|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z9RsdHajfucC&pg=PA99}} *{{Citation |last=Ridout |first=Lucy |author2=Paul Gray |title=The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches & Islands |year=2009|publisher=Rough Guides |location=India |isbn=978-1-84836-091-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SiusMRRcvS4C&q=wat+arun&pg=PT270}} *{{Citation |last=Norwich|first=John Julius|title=Great architecture of the world |year=2001|publisher=Da Capo Press Inc. |location=US |isbn=0-306-81042-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oo2BjGYRIT0C&pg=PA266}} *{{Citation |last=Emmons|first=Ron |title=Top 10 Bangkok|year=2008|publisher=DK |location=New York |isbn=9780756636494|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ebnIm-cEt5sC&q=wat+arun&pg=PA26}} {{Refend}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Wat Benchamabophit}} *[http://expo.nectec.or.th/pavilions/watbencha/ The Marble Temple of Thailand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710123055/http://expo.nectec.or.th/pavilions/watbencha/ |date=2007-07-10 }}
{{First-Class Royal Monasteries}} {{Tourist attractions in Bangkok}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Buddhist temples in Bangkok|Benchamabophit]] [[Category:Museums in Bangkok]] [[Category:Religious museums in Thailand]] [[Category:Dusit district]] [[Category:Marble buildings]] [[Category:Thai Theravada Buddhist temples and monasteries]] [[Category:Registered ancient monuments in Bangkok]]