Buddha’s Left Footprint at Wat Phra Phuttha Bat
Saraburi province is about an hour’s drive north of Bangkok. There are many worthwhile sights and activities for travelers wanting to see and do more than the tourist hot spots in this region. We will cover more of these in the near future but today we will explore the most famous attraction in Saraburi, Buddha’s Left Footprint at Wat Phra Phuttha Bat.
Wat Phra Phuttha Bat is considered to be the most important pilgrimage site in central Thailand. Wat Phra Phuttha Bat is also one of the most beautiful religious sites in all of Thailand.
The Buddha’s Footprint measures 53 cm wide, 1,5 m long, and 28 cm deep. The footprint was discovered during the reign of King Song Tham of Ayutthaya. He commanded a Mondop built to house the footprint and it has been renovated a few times.
The stair leading up to the Mondop is symbolically divided into 3 paths , silver, gold and crystal. The parhs are decorated with Naga figures, each with 5 heads and their long bodies form the rail.
There is an annual festival of paying homage to the Buddha’s Footprint. It has been celebrated since the Ayutthaya period and is held between February and March. During the festival the temple opens daily from 6.00-19.00, and at this time of the year Buddhists flock to the temple from all around the world.
Outside the temple the Phra Phutthabat National Museum is located. The museum houses various artifacts including King Song Tham’s clothing, porcelain, bronzeware, old weapons, and a replica of the Buddha’s footprint among other things.
Going there? You can rent a car and driver to take you there.
I you wish more data, please contact. I used this Footprint to celebrate Queen Sirikit’s 60th birthday some 20 years ago. See: The World of Buddha Footprints
I can read in Pali and suggest what you see in most, but not all. By the way, there are a few other Footprints by this king.
That’s interesting. I tried to visit your web site but “Cannot find server”. I’ll take a look later. Thanks for the comment
Thanks for the above
and
READ some.
Dhiravat 02 Word count 852, can’t have more than 1,00o in one social media.
Thailand’s greatest Old Dutch historian at the oldest Thai university, Chulalongkorn. This message is social media – now very, very, long and global, etc. July 28 – !M 2012
Dr. Dhiravat, I suggest that the two books you gifted to many years go my great artist Muang Sing will know how and where they went, but I hear he is in prison for other reasons. I also suggest that the problem is c 40 years old with Dr. Piriya K, the great president of The Siam Society. He is very rich, has rank, but morality and even ignorance may be a problem for him and his friend(s). His best friend was in the great Inscription ONE debate, one which Mon Chao Su-pa-ra-dit did not approve of. In fact, he asked Dr. Piriya: “I would like to know how much knowledge you have?” My translation of his Thai. The message in Wat Suthat, in clear English is: The Siam Society gangsters.” This is in reference to the fact almost all I have ever had in Asia went to Brahma-loka. Now is hear ‘su Siam Society’ so my limited knowledge tells me some court took them ALL on but I still think the leader is Dr. Piriya and I am not the only one who thinks that program is: “The Truth will come out!” There is NO number attached but it was made clear to me last year at Wat Bivorn that it would take time and that is true. Truth comes out slow or fast and the TOP or KEY man is clever, amongst other factors, that is for sure. Life is never sure and I am 74, which now even upsets the young monks of kuti – ka-nah 8 of Wat Suthat. Of the few recent notes and drafts, I have delivered almost all to my Burmese student in Myanmar. The links/nexus has equally brilliant members, such as Dr. Peter Skilling and Dr. Oscar von Hinuber. These two chaps have contributed much to the world. He managed to get many in trouble. Even major museums around the world. That is NO ordinary skill. The first major financial error took place some 40 years ago. Nearly 400.000.00 baht disappeared from ‘Christmas and New Year card’ project to save Thai Temple murals. It was started by an American Christian at ISB, Soi 15, Bangkok, where I taught. He was an educator, socially minded, not a bigot and certainly followed his JESUS well. Ask Adchan Son how much money he received from the Siam Society and ask Adchan Su-non, both at Silapakorn Un. They were part of that program. Son and I donated the Kodak slides for the program and Ford Foundation funded the entire bill.
You recent VOC article mentioned the problems of religions. It also mentioned “Thai face saving’ which I think is something that took place a long time before Buddha was born. The problems between religious groups was on earth before Buddha came on the show too. These are still here today.
What is now sure, what I (certainly my view) think is one of the best examples of a Buddha Footprint of the Theravada Buddhist tradition left Siam in 1752, came to East present Sri Lanka in 1753. There was one ‘gold Buddha image, two chests, and some letters”. Well, with the Pali text of a similar date, we know there was a Buddha Footprint and I saw the SIDE of it a few years ago when I went there. That information is NOT in your text, because your text is a translation of an Old Dutch text of that era, regarding a Buddha Footprint but it only mentions that there were 108 symbols. In my work I give the Pali name to the symbols and suggest a translation too. This simply tells me, and possibly not others, that the history of this Buddha Footprint was recorded in Old Dutch. It had 108 cinnabar drawings of the highest standard on gold power, which was polished with an agate on the cotton. Great work. The line drawing I had is gone. The copy by Toh Dam-long is gone. My notes may have been in Dilip Kumar Thakur’s home near Dum Dum, Kolkata. I don’t know how they got there, nor do I know how my late mother’s stitching work came there to cover his 30 TV. For some of this data you can consult the American Consulate in Kolkata and about 100 Bengali in the area of Dilip’ home. He was a special collection. By the way my late mother died in 1993 and I have still to see the history of that, but I am sure my Thai student, Silapachai saw it and certainly my adopted sister (she is really my second cousin) and her husband also saw it. Some how all e-mail, letters, never came to me and NO international school know that I existed, but both of them visited me in Bangkok c 20 years ago. Some great work on the part of someone. More later
You are great. I wish I could meet you, but I am in ‘prison’ in kut 8, Wat Suthat because I have little, almost NO money. Cannot find server, is something I don’t understand and I have no teachr.
Well, truth come, slow or fast, but it comes.
and nothing is hidden on this earth, especially it “The Truth Must Come out.|
Interesting reading there. Though I don’t know the background so it’s a bit hard to follow. Thanks for sharing your story Dr. Sailer and I wish you the best…“The Truth Must Come out”
Sure, for sure. It is difficult to follow. But it can NOT remain hidden. Again, if you wish data on that place, I have been in and out of the place for 44 years. It is up to you. I plan, and dream, of leaving soon. So if you wish to meet, do it soon.
Have a good day.Dhiravat 05 Word count 378.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
There is nothing man can hide on this earth,
but
lost life and work can not be returned.
We also need to remember, there are Thai people with morality.
The Siam Society. I have left the place around 20 years ago but now I like to visit the area. One can observe some interesting human behaviours, ones that one would not expect from a UPPER Class, Rich, society. I again plan to visit. In fact, I am very anxious to go there.
Dr. Chiravat, there seem to be two major issues. 1. Nandiyavatta-vamsa, which you requested and finally gave in. I simply did not write any of the ancient Pali texts quoted and it is not my fault that great scholars and Buddhist do read so much. 2. The Kandy Buddha Footprint. I know I did not so well some 20 years ago. Things have changed, so if Leiden Un, VOA, you yourself, Tooth Relic Vihara, Roayl Asiatic Society, Colombo, etc. are not interested in the reading of symbols there is nothing I can do about that. So let it be.
Fine Arts University, Bangkok Dr. L. Nehru’s first Gandhara study I copied and the biblio is super. No pada and many of a certain symbol, so I suggest she was deprived by someone, most likely in the Siam Society, Bangkok. The two vol. Japanese upset reflects the global collections. That is, who brought what (generally) and where is the item today. Lahore pada and many of the same symbol. Another great work. Dr. Khan’s, Pakistan, may have the latest study of Gandhara. This university library does not charge an entrance fee, which helps me. So now I can read, hours before life ends.
The first study was in 1905 and over 600 pages in French. I don’t think there is a complete translation. Si-kri site gives few and most impressive works. The pada seems to be a singular item of Gandhara since it is large, but there are several small ones. None I saw when I was in Peshawar. None. Buddhapada by Anna Maria Qu. Is a book to study again.
WWW, well, now 99% is mystery to me and let it be so.
“All pain, injury, deaths, etc. rest with those who created them.”
Lao Pada
For me it has become very important since there is NO reply from anyone else, so wait and see.
I am looking forward to my visit to The Siam Society.
Monday July 30, 2012
Dr. Dhiravat, there were hundreds of strange things in the past 20 years. I place on example here.German Embassy Yangon 05
July 9, 2012
Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch
9 Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road, Bahan Township
Rangoon (Yangon) 11201, Myanmar
Burma (Myanmar) Phone local: (01) 548.951
International: +95.1.548.951 Fax local: (01) 548.899
International: +95.1.548.899 Email: info@rangun.diplo.de
Your Excellency, Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch:
Life is never sure and almost everything I ever had has disappeared. One copy of a hard computer disk remains and it does not hold the address of Dr. Wenk. Dr. Wenk worked under the late General Ne Win in then Burma. At that time he published a book on murals. He has a grand collection of colour film prints, possibly Kodak. Today these may be copied with ease.
He took pictures in Old Bagan before 1975, the year of the great earthquake. In his book he has a picture of the Upali Buddha Footprint, which is a dated Kon-baung Buddha Footprint. It is highly possible he is not able to read the 108 illustrations on that Buddha Footprint and it is also possible that his friends may not be able to read them either. For me it is easy, but I need the picture. Kindly assist in locating Dr. Wenk and his grand colour slide collection.
Years ago I wanted to read this illustrations but he requested $500.00 US dollars for one slide. A price rather high and I refused to pay it. I have no idea what he charges now. I am now 74 and he may even be older. Actually it is good I did not attempt to read the 108 auspicious illustrations at that time. Some 30/40 years have passed and it now easy for me to take this task on.
Once I had read the 108 I may published the text somewhere or I may lecture on it at some site.
Sincerely,
Dr. Waldemar C. Sailer
ps
This is also a social media message.
The pada has a similar date to the VOC one but most likely used a different book.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
“As the ship named Siam Society sailed it hit an iceberg named Robbery’ and sank.”
Dr. Nehru, National Museum New Delhi most likely did NOT get the second copy which Dr. Shastri was to give. Wait and see. At any rate, in her work and other, the same picture is given that I use from the Pakistan Embassy in 1996.
Yesterday I went to the Fine Arts Un. library to pick up a photocopy. A French man was present and I asked he about the Gandhara exhibition in Paris. He confirmed it was there and I related the Dr. Hinuber and Dr. Skilling roles. He replied: “There are many professionals like that.” o him it was NO new news at all.
I think, but I am not sure, that someone has deprived you too. That picture you have on my monitor, others may have different pictures, is NOT the Buddha Footprint with the 108. It is in another building. There someone attempted to steal – via the roof of the building and a rope – but it all failed. One part of the Footprint was cut off, but I don’t know when it happened. The jewels are in a bank, but I don’t know which one.
Well, I will print out your text and make sure, at least attempt, to find out what you do know.
…………………………
Dhiravat 05 Word count 378.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
There is nothing man can hide on this earth,
but
lost life and work can not be returned.
We also need to remember, there are Thai people with morality.
To be honest I do not know much about this subject at all. I just know that it is an interesting place and that visitors might be interested in going there. I am also fascinated by this aspect of Thai culture and like to read on the subject.
But it is very interesting things you touch upon and a lot of secrecy. I realize now that there is plenty under the surface here.
Yes, I too knew nothing, some 44 years ago. Yes the place is interesting. Yes, there is much under the surface. His Majesty f84 and in the hospital. Normal. But why has this been going on for 20 years. The Siam Society has had problems. Anyhow, IT COMES AROUND. Wait and see. I now study ancient symbols on coins that relate to Buddhism c. 2000 years ago. Keep up you study. Do not give up.
I will 🙂
all footprints are based on some Pali text, but at times I don’t know which text – book – it is. Well, Saraburi should be easy, but I did not read all 108. My large print disappeared.
I am trying obtain a current phone # or email for Dr. Waldemar Sailer. We last seen him in the United States of America many years ago. Please forward any contact information that would get us in touch with him.
Email sent to you David
I would appreciate it if you could give me contact information for Waldemar C. Sailer. I have been trying to locate him regarding some work he did in Wisconsin. Any help you can give will be appreciated.
Hi Judy. I am sorry but I do not know Dr Sailer. He has just made some comments on this post. I have an email address and although it is publicized elsewhere I do not want to post it here. You can send me an email at frank@bangkokbeyond.com and I’ll give you the address.