Samuiscape
The Big Buddha – Koh Samui
Pra Yai or the "The Big Buddha" is one of Koh Samui's most famous landmarks and was built in 1972 by the local community to give visitors a peaceful place relax, contemplate and to pay respect to "The Lord Buddha"
The term Buddha, literally meaning "awakened or enlightened one" is not a proper name but rather a title such as "the messiah" so the term should always be accompanied by an the English language articles "the" or "a" making it "the Buddha" or "a Buddha" because of a belief that there will be innumerable Buddha's in the future as there have been in the past.
Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand. About 95% of Thai citizens are Buddhists. For them it is a way of life.
Buddhism began with the teachings of a man called Siddhartha Gautama who lived in India about 2,500 years ago. (The Thai year is currently 2550 which dates from the time of the Buddha.) The Buddha knew from his own experience that happiness does not come from great luxury or from great hardship. He taught people to follow a Middle Path between those two extremes. By following this path people could overcome greed and desire, and the unhappiness they caused, and lead wiser, more caring lives. Buddhists believe that it is up to each person to take responsibility for his or actions and to realize the truth for themselves. If they act wisely and well in accordance with the Buddha's teachings, they can live happier and more fulfilled lives. Buddhists do not believe in an all-powerful God who created the world. Neither is the Buddha worshiped as a god, but as a human being who gained enlightenment. Buddhists try to follow his good example. They make five promises called Precepts:
1. Not to harm or kill any living things
2. Not to steal or take anything that is not freely given
3. To control sexual desire
4. Not to tell lies
5. Not to drink or take drugs
Buddhists often worship in their own homes at a shrine with a Buddha image prominently placed. Many also visit temples on important religious days or their birthdays to chant, make offerings and listen to sermons.
People don't visit temples often, certainly not every week. It is usually only the elderly people who will go to the temple on wan phra or holy days (these are set by the phases of the moon and do not fall on the same day each week). However, most people will visit the temples on special occasions such as their birthday, the death of a relative or during important religious festivals.
Buddhists visit temples to make merit, make an offering, and listen to sermons and to take part in candle lit processions around the main chapel.
People make merit by giving the monks food, robes or other basic essentials. In temples and many other places a bucket of supplies that can be bought for monks. The contents include: soap, toothpaste, medicine, tea bags etc. There is also an orange robe. In every temple there is a place where you can buy offerings for the shrine in front of the Buddha image. The offerings include candles, lotus flowers and incense sticks. As they make the offering they chant or say a prayer.
In candle processions on important religious holidays, people circle the temple three times in a clock-wise direction, usually holding a lotus flower, three incense sticks and a lighted candle.
How to Behave in a Temple
If you are an adult you must be dressed properly. You should not wear shorts or if you are a woman, wear short skirts. When you go inside any building you must take off your shoes first outside. There are no seats like in Christian churches; you just sit on the floor. However, to be respectful, you must sit with your legs tucked under your body making sure your feet are not pointing at anyone. In Thai culture it is important that your head should be lower than the Buddha image or any monks present.
On Koh Samui this 12 meter golden statue (in seated position) is located to the northeast of the island at Wat Phra Yai on Koh Fan (Fan Island). Koh Fan is connected to the mainland by a short causeway which visitors can drive their motorbikes or jeeps over.
Visible from several kilometers away and even from the air when approaching or leaving the island, it proudly fills the horizon especially when the golden body is lit by the sun during the day or by the light of a full moon.
At the foot of the main building are many religious offering stands and several nice golden statues, including a reclining Buddha. You can donate some money by writing your name on a tile which will become part of the floor, or have your good fortune told by a 5-Baht coin machine: set the machine according to your birthday and you will be given a number; then look at the poster on the wall to find the corresponding number and your fortune (written in English also). Following Thai tradition, remove your shoes before climbing the stairs to see the wonderful view of Bophut Bay from the top.
Surrounded by little souvenir shops and restaurants, the statue and temple is one of Samui's most famous landmarks and makes this photo generic place well worth a visit during your stay on Koh Samui.
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