Wat Buppharam

Wat Buppharam

NameWat Buppharam
Date1497
LocationTha Pae road
Chiang Mai

The Wat Buppharam just outside the old walled city was built in 1497 during the reign of the Lanna King Muang Kaeo. The temple complex consists of an ubosot, two viharns, a Dhamma hall, a chedi and a well supplying holy water.

The chedi, the oldest structure

One of the oldest remaining structures is the chedi (pagoda) that was built more than 4 centuries ago in Burmese and Mon style. The white chedi with a golden spire is guarded by four Burmese style lions, called Singha in Thai. The base of the chedi contains a Buddha image on all four sides.

Lanna style viharn

The small Lanna style viharn was likely built during the 16th century. The current structure is more current, as the building was renovated in 1819. The large Buddha image contained in it is around three centuries old.

The principal viharn

The larger viharn was built around 2 centuries ago. This structure contains magnificent murals depicting scenes from one of the Jataka tales about the previous lives of the Buddha. This story, called the Vessantara Jataka tells of Prince Vessantara, who gives away everything he owns demonstrating the virtue of charity, one of the virtues of a Bodhisattva.

The principal Buddha image of the viharn was cast around 500 years ago. The richly carved wooden door panels made in 1983 depict the Himavanta forest, the forest surrounding Mount Meru in Hindu mythology.

 

Wat Buppharam, Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Address: 143 Thapae Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
• Province: Chiang Mai
• Year established: 1497
• Municipality: Chiang Mai