Wat Kamphaeng Bang Chak ( th, วัดกำแพงบางจาก, ) is an ancient
Thai Buddhist temple in
Mahā Nikāya sect in
Thonburi
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Thonburi ( th, ธนบุรี) is an area of modern Bangkok. During the era of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, its location on the right (west) bank at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River had made it an important garrison town, which is ...
side (west side of Chao Phraya River) of Bangkok, considered as one of the oldest and most dominant temples in Bangkok.
The temple is believed to have been built since the late
Ayutthaya period
The Ayutthaya Kingdom (; th, อยุธยา, , IAST: or , ) was a Siamese kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand. The Ayutthaya Kingdom is conside ...
without knowing the exact history. But believe that many major renovations have been made especially during the reigns of King
Rama III
Nangklao ( th, พระบาทสมเด็จพระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, ; 31 March 1788 – 2 April 1851), birth name Thap ( th, ทับ), also styled Rama III, was the third king of Siam ...
and
Rama V.
The mural inside the
ordination hall
The ordination hall is a Buddhist building specifically consecrated and designated for the performance of the Buddhist ordination ritual ('' upasampada'') and other ritual ceremonies, such as the recitation of the Patimokkha. The ordination hall ...
depicts the story of ''
Mahanipata Jataka'' (10 previous lives of the Lord Buddha). Principal Buddha image in
Māravijaya posture named ''Luang Pho Butsarakham'' enshrined inside, the overall appearance of the ordination hall is an art in the late Ayutthaya period. But the materials that decorate various parts was influenced by Chinese architectural style, which is a popular pattern in the reign of King Rama III.
Wat Kamphaeng Bang Chak has a total of seven ''
chedi yo mum mai sip song'' (twelve indented corners chedi). The first one is on the south of the ordination hall, the base of the chedi outside is always located along the temple wall. While the other is currently in the area of the
Baan Sinlapin
Baan Sinlapin ( th, บ้านศิลปิน, link=no), The Artist's House is an art gallery and puppet theater situated at 315 Wat Tong Salangam, Phet Kasem 28, Thanon Phet Kasem, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok, Thailand. The building dates back o ...
(The Artist's House). Both chedis are about 10 meters (32 feet) high and they are now disintegrated over time.
It is a small temple that is known for its perfectly laid out layout and still maintains the original condition of the entire architecture and the murals were preserved almost completely.
[
Wat Kamphaeng Bang Chak is located by inner ]Khlong Bangkok Yai
Khlong Bangkok Yai ( th, คลองบางกอกใหญ่, ; lit: 'Big Bangkok Canal') is a historic '' khlong'' (คลอง; canal) of Bangkok. The current length is 6 km (about 3 mi), through various canals as far as it term ...
, also known as Khlong Bang Luang, where it is referred to as Khlong Chak Phra
Khlong Chak Phra ( th, คลองชักพระ, ) is a ''khlong'' (canal) in Bangkok's Thonburi area. It separates from Khlong Bangkok Noi at front of Wat Suwan Keree and terminates at the confluence of khlongs Mon and Bangkok Yai. It s ...
. It is located south of Khlong Bang Chak, at the corner of the mouth of the canal. Khlong Bang Chak is a waterway separated from Khlong Bangkok Yai to the west.[หน้า 16 – พระเครื่อง, ''จิตรกรรมฝาผนัง วัดกำแพงบางจาก''. Khaosod issues 12,037 vol.33 Sunday, November 12, 2023 (in Thai)]
The temple also located behind the Baan Sinlapin, also known as The Artist's House, a centuries-old wooden Thai house turned gallery, with local artwork, photography and puppet theater by Khlong Bangkok Yai.
Gallery
file:วัดกำแพงบางจาก เขตภาษีเจริญ กรุงเทพมหานคร (3).jpg, Luang Pho Butsarakham
file:วัดกำแพงบางจาก เขตภาษีเจริญ กรุงเทพมหานคร (2).jpg, A striking painting of Lord Buddha in front of the ordination hall door
References
Phasi Charoen district
Buddhist temples in Bangkok
Unregistered ancient monuments in Bangkok
18th-century Buddhist temples
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