# Wat Chetawan

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**Wat Chetawan** (Thai: วัดเชตวัน; ) (also called as the **Chetawan Buddhist Temple**) is a [Thai temple](/source/Thai_architecture) in [Petaling District](/source/Petaling_District), [Selangor](/source/Selangor), [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia). The temple is situated at Jalan Pantai, off [Jalan Gasing](/source/Jalan_Gasing) in [Petaling Jaya](/source/Petaling_Jaya). It was built in 1957 and officiated by the late King [Bhumibol Adulyadej](/source/Bhumibol_Adulyadej), the King of Thailand at the time. The temple is also the only [Malaysian Siamese](/source/Malaysian_Siamese) temple which has been chosen as the custodian of the [Buddha sacred relics](/source/Relics_associated_with_Buddha#Relics_in_Malaysia) for all [Malaysian Buddhists](/source/Buddhism_in_Malaysia) that are parts of the ancient relics discovered in [Piprahwa](/source/Piprahwa), a village in [Uttar Pradesh](/source/Uttar_Pradesh) near the border of the [Kingdom of Nepal](/source/Kingdom_of_Nepal) in 1898 which were presented to King [Chulalongkorn](/source/Chulalongkorn) of Siam by the then [British Viceroy of India](/source/Governor-General_of_India), Lord [Curzon](/source/George_Curzon,_1st_Marquess_Curzon_of_Kedleston).["note" 1]

## History

In 1956, Phra Kru Palat Vieng, a veteran member of the *[sangha](/source/Sangha)* (community of [monks](/source/Buddhist_monk)) and an old time resident of [Kuala Lumpur](/source/Kuala_Lumpur) initiated the idea of building a sizeable Buddhist temple close to the federal capital of [Malaya](/source/Federation_of_Malaya).[1] The proposal was warmly welcomed by the state government of [Selangor](/source/Selangor) where they allocated two acres of land as the proposed site of the temple the following year.[2] Another piece of land measuring two and half acres was acquired through donations collected from well-wishers from both Malaya and [Thailand](/source/Thailand) and his own savings.[3] Besides the generous donations from well-wishers, King [Bhumibol Adulyadej](/source/Bhumibol_Adulyadej) of Thailand's personally contributed to the temple construction funds through his [state visit](/source/State_visit) in 1962.[5] The federal government of Malaya at the time also rallied to the good cause by giving a grant through Prime Minister [Tunku Abdul Rahman](/source/Tunku_Abdul_Rahman).[1][4]

As the planned structure was to reflect the finest of [Thai temple architecture](/source/Thai_architecture), the [Fine Arts Department](/source/Fine_Arts_Department) of Thailand in [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok) was commissioned to draw up the architectural plans and to oversee the construction of the temple.[1] With the combined workforce of local builders and skilled craftsmen from Thailand, the main shrine together with the temple structures was completed on 26 June 1962 and officiated by the King himself accompanied by Queen [Sirikit](/source/Sirikit).[3] During the special ceremony, the King raising the temple's decorative roof element of *chofa*.[4] This was followed with the visits for religious ceremonies by Princess [Sirindhorn](/source/Sirindhorn), Crown Prince [Vajiralongkorn](/source/Vajiralongkorn) and Princess [Galyani Vadhana](/source/Galyani_Vadhana).[1][3] King Bhumibol also had granted the royal consent for the [King royal insignia](/source/Monarchy_of_Thailand) to be mounted on the front gable of the building and personally donating the main Buddha shrine of Phra Buddha Thammeen, a rare honour that reflected the King special consideration and compassion towards the construction of the temple.[5] Since then, no additional structures were added until under the [abbotship](/source/Abbot_(Buddhism)) of Phra Khru Sophitchariyaphorn (Pien Saccadhammo). In 2009, *[stupa](/source/Stupa)* are being added to the temple where the construction was completed in 2012 with a cost of [RM](/source/Malaysian_ringgit)1.9 million.[3] To commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of Buddha's Enlightenment as well marking the birthday's of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, a portion of sacred relics of Buddha were presented to the temple on 27 June 2012 by the President of the executive committee of His Holiness the [Supreme Patriarch of Thailand](/source/Supreme_Patriarch_of_Thailand) and Member of the [Sangha Supreme Council](/source/Sangha_Supreme_Council) of Thailand, Somdej Phrabuddhacharn as a goodwill from [Thai Buddhists](/source/Buddhism_in_Thailand) to [Malaysian Buddhists](/source/Buddhism_in_Malaysia).[3][6]

## Features

Apart from become the centre for religious community of [Malaysian Siamese](/source/Malaysian_Siamese), the temple also become the place of devotees from non-Thais.[7] The main shrine is heavily gilded in gold leaves and intricately decorated with multi-coloured glass tiles.[7] Its main prayer hall houses several images of [Buddha](/source/Buddha) while in the pavilion features the four-faced God, [Phra Phrom](/source/Phra_Phrom) and the Bodhisattva of Compassion, [Guan Yin](/source/Guan_Yin).[7] Another prayer hall pays tribute to abbots with [Malay titles](/source/Malay_titles) that marked their northern Malay Peninsula and southern Thai origin.[7] The temple always welcoming donation from visitors which will be mainly used to sustain the temple and its activities.[8]

## References

1. Sharyn Shufiyan (31 August 2014). ["Value one and all"](https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia-star2/20140831/282600261060929). *The Star*. Retrieved 21 March 2019. – via PressReader. The idea was put forward – by a Thai monk, Phra Kru Palat Vieng – in 1956, a proposal was submitted in 1957, and the subsequent year saw the Selangor state government allocating almost 1ha (2 acres) of land for the temple. Through donations, the temple grounds were extended to 1.8ha (4.5 acres) and additional structures were built. Today, apart from the (prayer and ordination hall), the temple complex consists of a meditation hall where a [Sleeping Buddha](/source/Reclining_Buddha) resides, a bell tower to announce the commencement of ceremonies, the monks' (living quarters), the (a rest area), [Brahma](/source/Brahma) and the [Kuan Yin](/source/Kuan_Yin) pavilions and a columbarium. Two trees that are significant in Buddhist doctrine were also planted on the grounds – the [bodhi tree](/source/Bodhi_tree), which is associated with providing shelter, and the [sala tree](/source/Shorea_robusta), associated with the Buddha's birth and death. Designed by the [Fine Arts Department](/source/Fine_Arts_Department) of Thailand and built by Thai craftsmen and local builders, the Chetawan temple was opened by Thai King [Bhumibol Adulyadej](/source/Bhumibol_Adulyadej) on 26 June 1962, with the raising of the (roof decoration). Before construction began, though, a fundraising rally was initiated and received widespread support not just from Buddhists, but also the Government of Malaya, which – through Prime Minister [Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj](/source/Tunku_Abdul_Rahman) – contributed a grant of [RM](/source/Malaysian_ringgit)100,000. A further RM45,000 was contributed by [T. H. Tan](/source/Tan_Tong_Hye) (later Tan Sri), then secretary-general of the [UMNO](/source/United_Malays_National_Organisation)-[MCA](/source/Malaysian_Chinese_Association)-[MIC](/source/Malaysian_Indian_Congress) [Alliance Party](/source/Alliance_Party_(Malaysia)).

1. T. Yong & M. Rahman (11 October 2013). [*Diaspora Engagement and Development in South Asia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=aZ9EAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT216). Springer. pp. 216–. ISBN 978-1-137-33445-9.

1. ["PJ's Thai Buddhist temple gets new stupa"](https://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2F2012%2F7%2F21%2Fcentral%2F11688412). *The Star*. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2019.[dead link]

1. Alan Teh Leam Seng (22 October 2017). ["Malaya remembers King Bhumibol"](https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/10/293761/malaya-remembers-king-bhumibol). New Straits Times. Retrieved 21 March 2019. it was reported that just before the consecration ceremony, on 26 June 1962, a 70-year-old Thai woman knelt before King Bhumibol and pledged her obeisance to the Thai monarch. The woman, known only as Madam Hia, had made the journey all the way from Bangkok to present a cheque of [฿](/source/Thai_baht)20,000 to the Thai monarch at Wat Chetawan. Hia, a well known [philanthropist](/source/Philanthropist) in Thailand, had made numerous donations to temples back in her own country in the past and it was through King Bhumibol suggestion that she made the trip to Malaya and present her gift at the newly-built RM250,000 temple in [Petaling Jaya](/source/Petaling_Jaya).

1. Melissa Goh (14 October 2016). ["In Malaysia, Thai Buddhists remember late King Bhumibol"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190321145127/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/in-malaysia-thai-buddhists-remember-late-king-bhumibol-7758500). Channel NewsAsia. Archived from [the original](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/in-malaysia-thai-buddhists-remember-late-king-bhumibol-7758500) on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.

1. ["Lord Buddha's Relics presented to Malaysian Buddhists"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190321182008/http://www.nalanda.org.my/lord-buddhas-relics-presented-to-malaysian-buddhists-2/). Nalanda Buddhist Society Malaysia. 4 July 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.nalanda.org.my/lord-buddhas-relics-presented-to-malaysian-buddhists-2/) on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.

1. Insight Guides (1 June 2017). [*Insight Guides: Explore Kuala Lumpur*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-StHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT192). Apa Publications. pp. 192–. ISBN 978-1-78671-728-3.

1. Kooi F Lim (4 May 2015). ["Wesak in Malaysia: A morning at Thai Wat Chetawan"](http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=56,12296,0,0,1,0). The Buddhist Channel. Retrieved 22 March 2019.

## News articles

- ["With temples closed, Wesak rituals go online"](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/590611/temples-closed-wesak-rituals-go-online). [New Straits Times](/source/New_Straits_Times) (online). 2020-05-07. Retrieved 2022-07-19.

- ["Malaya remembers King Bhumibol"](https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/10/293761/malaya-remembers-king-bhumibol). [New Straits Times](/source/New_Straits_Times) (online). 2017-10-22. Retrieved 2022-07-19.

## External links

- [Official website](https://sites.google.com/site/watchetawan/)

1. According to the chief [abbot](/source/Abbot_(Buddhism)) of Wat Chetawan, Phra Khru Sophitchariyaphorn, [Buddha](/source/Buddha)'s [relics](/source/Relics_associated_with_Buddha#Relics_in_Malaysia) enshrined in the *[stupa](/source/Stupa)* is of great historical and religious significance as it was part of relics discovered in [Piprahwa](/source/Piprahwa), a village in [Uttar Pradesh](/source/Uttar_Pradesh) near the border of the [Kingdom of Nepal](/source/Kingdom_of_Nepal) in 1898 which then presented to King [Chulalongkorn](/source/Chulalongkorn) of Siam by the then [British Viceroy of India](/source/Governor-General_of_India), Lord [Curzon](/source/George_Curzon,_1st_Marquess_Curzon_of_Kedleston). King Chulalongkorn distributed part of the relics to [Japan](/source/Japan), [Myanmar](/source/Myanmar), [Sri Lanka](/source/Sri_Lanka) and [Siberia](/source/Siberia) and the rest were ceremoniously enshrined in the [Golden Mount Chedi](/source/Wat_Saket) in [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok) in 1899. To commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of Buddha's Enlightenment and to mark King [Bhumibol Adulyadej](/source/Bhumibol_Adulyadej) and Queen [Sirikit](/source/Sirikit)'s 85th and 80th birthday anniversaries respectively, a portion of those sacred relics of Buddha were presented to Wat Chetawan in Malaysia on 27 June 2012 by senior monk from Bangkok, Somdej Phramaharatch Amangkalajarn as a token of goodwill from [Thai Buddhists](/source/Buddhism_in_Thailand) to [Malaysian Buddhists](/source/Buddhism_in_Malaysia).[3][6]

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wat Chetawan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Chetawan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Chetawan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.