— Where Thai faith meets royal grandeur.
Introduction
Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram (in Thai the meaning being “Temple of the Fifth King), also referred to as the Marble Temple due to the usage of a large quantity of fine marble imported from Carrara, Italy on the main ordination hall (ubosot), is one of the most well-known temples among the ancient land of Buddhism, and a hotspot of cultural tourism in metropolitan Bangkok. Conducted by King Rama V or King Chulalongkorn, its history can be traced back to more than two hundred years ago. Originally designed by Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong who is the half-brother to Rama V and also a great artist, the temple was endowed with a combination of Thai Sukhothai-style and western style elements. The main Buddha statue in the ordination hall which was cast in 1920, is the duplicate of the much venerated Buddha posture called Phra Buddhajinaraja after the original in Wat Mahathat in Phitsanulok. Beneath that statue buries the ashes of King Rama V and King Rama IV, another highlight point of this temple. Wat Benchamabophit is not only a religious site but also a symbol of Thai identity and artistic achievement. It appears on the back of the 5-baht coin and is often included in cultural tours for its beauty and historical value.
Wat Benchamabophit in the Past
The current structure of Wat Benchamabophit that we see nowadays was built in the late 1800s. Before that, the temple was just a small place of worship known locally as Wat Laem or Wat Sai Thong (Golden Sai Tree).This temple was firstly mentioned in Thai history in the early 19th century during the reign of King Rama III, when the five royal family members restored this local temple named Wat Sai Thong and then the name of the temple was changed to Wat Benchabophit, or “temple of the five royal family members”. That all changed when King Chulalongkorn or Rama V began building his new royal residence, Dusit Palace. The king also would like to have a royal temple near the new palace. Therefore, he rebuilt all main structures of Wat Benchabophit and renamed it to Wat Benchamabophit meaning the temple established by the fifth king. It then became a royal temple of the Bangkok Dynasty and the ground of religious ceremonies and merit-making of the royal family. King Rama V decided to establish the temple to become a memorial site for his reign and to bury his remains under the Phra Buddhajinaraja statue. In addition, he wanted the temple to become a site where different buddhas from various times and regions could converge for appreciation and a study centre of Dharma (Buddhist teachings). Later, Wat Benchamabophit became one of Thailand’s very first ranked royal temples.
Aesthetic Value of Wat Benchamabophit
The architectural design of Wat Benchamabophit was regarded as one of the most magnificent models in modern Thai Buddhist architecture with a blend of European influence, a symphony of Thai cultural traditions and its finest architectural craftsmanship. Wat Benchamabophit is also accepted as having one of the best architectural landscapes with simple symmetrical design. When visitors pass the main entrance and walk through the stone walkway that leads to the ordination hall, they are exposed to the scene of a beautiful white marble structure with two white pavilions on both sides of the small green garden.
A highlight of this temple is its main ordination hall. Throughout the main ordination hall including the columns, courtyard, and lion statues that guard the entrance, it is covered with imported fine Italian white Carrara marble which were the leftover materials used to build the Chakri Maha Prasat Ordination Hall of the Grand Palace, giving the temple its nickname. The interior of the ordination hall is marked by hand-painted Thai traditional motifs, the same is for the window frames stained-glass design. Another specialty is the stained-glasses produced by Florentine artists.
Wat Benchamabophit is also accepted as having one of the best architectural landscapes with simple symmetrical design. When visitors pass the main entrance and walk through the stone walkway that leads to the ordination hall, the most unique structure of this place, they are exposed to the scene of beautiful white marble structure with two white pavilions on both sides of the small green garden. The atmosphere of this temple is different from other traditional Thai temples with its construction material of white marble where the visitors can enjoy only in this place.
The inner walls of the ordination hall are also decorated with paintings of the famous chedis (stupas) from around Thailand. These murals are arranged in the form of concave niches with framed panels and are painted in a documentary style, combining artistic beauty with educational intent. Each stupa mural is accompanied by an inscription, identifying the name and location of the stupa and its historical or religious significance. From left to right, the stupas depicted are:
- Phra Mahathat Mueang Lawo (Lopburi, Thailand) – a key Khmer-style chedi situated in Lopburi, central Thailand, which is believed to be the location of the ancient trading outpost of Lawo.
- Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Chaliang (Sukhothai, Thailand) – situated in Sukhothai Bangkok and dated back to the late 12th century during the reign of Khmer King Jayavarman VII, the temple originally served as a Mahayana Buddhist site when Sukhothai was under Khmer control.
- Phra Mahathat Chedi (Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Thailand) – most influential religious site in the southern region of Thailand.
- Phra That Phanom (Nakhon Phanom, Thailand) – a Lao-style religious site much venerated in the Isan (northeastern) part of Thai Buddhism.
- Phra Pathom Chedi (Nakhon Pathom, Thailand) – believed to be the oldest Buddhist stupa in Thailand.
- Phra That Hariphunchai (Lamphun, Thailand) – this stupa is an important religious site in the north.
On the back of the main ordination building lies the boundary stones of Wat Benchamabophit. In the form of two posts with lotus bud tops and placed to enclose the terrace of the back of ordination hall with a slab on the floor inscribed with the Dharmachakra, or also known as the Wheel of Law.
Unlike other temples, the Bodhi tree was planted in the location where traditionally a Buddhist stupa would be built. Since 1900, King Chulalongkorn planted the shoot of Bodhi tree brought from Bodh Gaya in India where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, on the lawn behind the ordination hall. Therefore, in this temple, the Bodhi tree represents the sacred tree which is comparable with stupa in other temples.
Social Value of Wat Benchamabophit
The monks of Wat Benchamabophit unlike the other monks, they don’t go out to seek alms but visited by merit-makers that come to gather at the temple for offering food at 6am to 7am in the morning. Wat Benchamabophit also have some special ceremonies during some special days of Buddhism. Such as, the monks and buddhist will walk in candlelight three times in the ordination hall in the night of Buddhist holy days. While another important Buddhist ceremonies is the ordination ceremony, which progress by every Thai male once in a life time, is an act of a great merit dedicated to his parents. Its a special temple for the Northern Tahi people who work or live in Bangkok, because in October the teple whill have a merit-making ceremony that for the northern people, that called “Tan Kuay Salak”, for them to make merit and dedicate merit to their anccestors.
Royal Family Linkages of Wat Benchamabophit
Another structure aside from the ubosot that is worth mentioning is Phra Thinang Song Phanuat. The structure is originally located in Phra Buddha Pattanasathan in Siwalai Garden of the Grand Palace, and served as the royal residence of King Chulalongkorn during his time as a monk in 1873. Later, he ordered the building’s relocation to the grounds of Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram to be the residence of the temple’s abbot. This cluster of buildings consist of “Phra Thinang Song Phanuat” to the north, “Phra Kuti” to the south, braced with two-room residence to the east and west, including the dining pavilion on the marble patio in the center.
Bovonvong Bell Tower is a typical style of Thai architecture, roofed with glazed tiles and walled with marble slabs. It was set up in memory of Krom Phra Rajavang Bovom Sathan Mongkol (the Vice-King) of the Front Palace. Thus the royal given name to this tower is “Bovonvong Bell Tower”.
Introduction of Wat Benchamabophit
Interview with the Resident Monk of Wat Benchamabophit
References:
Heritage Interpretation Assessment of Wat Benchamabophit, www.researchgate.net/publication/335201223_Heritage_Interpretation_Assessment_of_Wat_Benchamabophit. Accessed 7 May 2025.
Ratanawaraphorn, Bhakhakanok & Sumbandit, Weena & Nuangjamnong, Chompu. “Heritage Interpretation Assessment of Wat Benchamabophit.” The Marble Temple of Thailand, 2019, expo.nectec.or.th/pavilions/watbencha/.
Wikipedia contributors. “Wat Benchamabophit.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Nov. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wat_Benchamabophit&oldid=1258347868.
Group members:
6727935063 Kong Zi Rui Sophie
6727935113 Forsberg Lydia
6627648436 Zixin Xu
