Wat Bowonniwet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Statue of King Rama IV in a niche at Wat Bowonniwet

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (Thai: วัดบวรนิเวศวิหารราชวรวิหาร) is a major Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is a center of the Thammayut Nikaya school of Thai Theravada Buddhism and has been a major temple of patronage for the Chakri dynasty.

[edit] Royal patronage

Prince Bhikku Mongkut ordained in the temple in 1836 and eventually became its abbot. He later acceeded to the throne of Siam as King Rama IV. His great grandson, King Bhumibol Adulyadej also ordained at the temple for a short period period after he became King. Bhumibol's mentor, Phra Yanasangworn, eventually became abbot of the temple and the Supreme Patriarch of Thai Buddhism. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's son, Prince Vajiralongkorn was ordained at the temple for a short period, as well as several of the Prince's own sons.