There were times when I was dreaming about living in only one united world. I was dreaming there would be no countries, no cultures, languages, religions. I wanted the world to be one, the same, equal and alike. Then I started to travel and my vision changed completely. I went to Italy and I saw a world that is full of culture and I enjoyed experiencing it. I went to Malaysia and I found the world where different religions and languages live hand in hand, peacefully in one city. I went to Sweden and met a different civilization, I explored a different society in Thailand and my dream about having a united world is left in my past now. I don’t only want to see, but feel and experience that diversity as much as I can. After all, the world is an amazing place just because of that diversity of cultures, languages, religions, traditions and values.
That is what I realised once again during my visit to famous Buddhist temple complex Wat Po in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It represents a different culture and religion from what I have been experiencing before. It is an illustration of a society having different values and believes from the Western countries. And believe in me, to experience that difference brings you so much happiness.
With the example of Wat Po temple in Bangkok I would like to give you a better idea about that difference. You have to change yourself slightly to be able to enter the temple complex, you have to behave differently there, you have to use different gestures and different manners there.
The first thing you will be asked is to cover your shoulders, but do not worry because there are skirts for women and long pants for men that you can rent (100 baht) to enter the temple complex. Then before entering most of the temples you will have to remove your shoes, and in some temples you will be asked to bend on your knees in front of Buddha Statues, because it is extremely disrespectful to be in a higher level than the Buddha is. You should not talk loudly in the temple and never point to someone or somewhere because it is considered rude and impolite. Taking any food or drinks with you inside the temples is not encouraging.
These rules apply for almost all temples and religious sights in Thailand and not only. So I hope I could give all backpackers travelling to Thailand for the first time a little help by this post.
Location: It is near the Grand Palace and another famous temple called Wat Arun.
How to get there: You need to get to Saphan Taksin train station from your location. Then take a boat to Tha Tien along the Chao Praya. Alternatively, you may take a bus number 1, 3, 25, 44 to arrive Wat Pho bus stop.
Openig hours: It is open from 8am-6:30 pm. The entrance fee to the temple complex is 200 baht, around 7$. You may need to spend 2 hours there, but definitely no more.
Don’t miss:
- Reclining Buddha statue
- The1 cloister with about 400 Buddha images
