Guan Yin Bodhisattva Hall: Compassionate Being's Wishes Granted With Grandeur
Nida Tunsuttiwong
Since many of Bangkok's residents are descendants of Chinese migrants, the city is home to a large number of Chinese-style Buddhist shrines and temples, such as Tamnak Phra Mae Kuan-Im ('Guan Yin Bodhisattva Hall'), a popular shrine located along Chokchai 4 Road in Lat Phrao district.
10,000 impressions
The Guan Yin Bodhisattva Hall was built in 1988, its construction inspired by a traditional Chinese belief that the Guan Yin, a Chinese name for the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (a Bodhisattva representing Compassion in Mahayana Buddhism), traveled to 'a deserted land', where it called for a large shrine featuring 10,000 Buddha images to be constructed.
The story does not refer literally to the shrine's actual location, nevertheless, according to the Chinese art of Feng Shui, a traditional practice relating to the correct usage of space within a building or plot of land, the site of the shrine is said to feature a characteristic known as a 'Dragon's Head', suggesting the area is protected by a dragon. Construction of the shrine was completed in 2000.
The legend of Guan Yin
Guan Yin is the Chinese name for a Bodhisattva ('an enlightened being') called Avalokitesvara in Mahayana Buddhism, which is said to represent compassion. Nevertheless, there are also numerous folk tales that refer to the figure, which typically takes a female form in Chinese culture.
Probably the most famous legend is of Miao Shan, the daughter of a cruel king who wanted her to marry a wealthy yet uncaring man. After refusing to wed, the king forces Miao Shan to work as a laborer. After she asks to be ordained as a nun, the king tells the monks to ensure she is kept busy with more backbreaking work. At one point, the monarch even tries to burn down the temple, but Miao Shan manages to extinguish the flames with her bare hands.
On seeing such supernatural abilities, the king calls for Miao Shan to be put to death. While there are many tales referring to Miao Shan's execution, one of the best known suggests that she didn't in fact perish, but was transported to Fragrant Mountain by a supernatural form of tiger.
This legend usually ends with a trip by the king to the mountain to thank 'the one without anger', who donated eyes and arms as important ingredients for a medicine that helped to treat the monarch's otherwise incurable disease.
The king discovers that it is actually Miao Shan who made these ultimate sacrifices with the potential to save his life, and so he ends up begging for her forgiveness. The story ends with Miao Shan being transformed into the impressive, 1,000-armed Guan Yin.
The pagoda was named Phra Maha Chedi Phra Phutthachao Muen Phra Ong ('the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas'), with each level featuring colorful, Chinese-style murals depicting the lives the Lord Buddha and Guan Yin.
On entering the pagoda itself, you will see four 8.3-meter-tall images of Guan Yin, one on each side, and with each figure featuring 20 faces and 1,000 hands.
The figures were crafted from Chinese sandalwood and coated in real gold. This floor is surrounded by 108 wooden barrels, featuring the Guan Yin's mantra, which is known as Om Mani Padme Hum Mantra (originally An Mani Bani Hong).
On this floor is an entrance to the building's upper levels, which are currently closed to the public, along with a stairway that leads down to a lower level, which is used as a storage area for items donated to the temple over the years.
Among the countless items on display here are musical instruments, along with antique Buddha images. The most significant of these items is a large collection of tableware, which were used during alms offering ceremonies that took place during December 1988 and in 2000 to mark the completion of the pagoda's construction and its official opening.
The pagoda sits within a large garden that also hosts hundreds of white marble images of the Lord Buddha, Guan Yin, and other Chinese deities or characters stemming from traditional Chinese beliefs. Among the most important images are Guan Yin figures in 108 postures, the 'Four Guardians of the Four Compass Directions' and the 'Eight Immortals'.
Enter the dragons
By crossing a small soi by the pagoda, you will reach the Guan Yin Bodhisattva Hall. The hall features many of the gods worshiped according to Chinese beliefs, while the prayer area is surrounded by 99 large bells for those seeking good luck, wealth and fame.
Towards the rear of the prayer hall is a large room housing numerous images, including one of a 'Dragon God'. Many people believe that if you pray to this figure and strike a large drum three times, you will enjoy good fortune.
The hall also features more images of Guan Yin, while the prayer and meditation area on the building's third floor can accommodate up to 200 people. Nearby is a five-story building known as the Dragon Hall, which features images of the Eight Immortals, along with 108 dragon figures.
Guan Yin Bodhisattva Hall opens daily from 7 am-9 pm. For further information, contact Tel: +66 (0)2 539 6228.
Transport connections:
Car: Take Lat Phrao Road and head for Soi 53, which is also known as Chokchai 4 Road. Turn left into the soi and follow this road until you reach Soi 39 (also known as Soi Suksan 7). The Guan Yin Bodhisattva is located about 300 meters down this small lane.
Train: Take the MRT subway to Lat Phrao station. On exiting the station, take a taxi or other form of local transport to reach Soi 53.
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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