The Solid Gold Buddha
The largest Buddha image in the world is located in the Traimit Witthayaram Temple in Bangkok. Not only is it the largest image it is also the heaviest and, probably, the most valuable weighing in at 5.5 tonnes and made of solid gold. Measuring 12 feet 5 inches in diameter and has a height of 15 feet 9 inches from the base to the crown, this was only discovered in 1955 when the image was being moved to its present location. The plaster cracked and broke on one of the arms revealing the gold underneath. Subsequent investigation revealed the Buddha in all its glory. The Buddha Image is in the mara conquering attitude, the typical artistic style of the days when Sukhothai was the capital of Thailand. Now more than 700 years old, it is a valuable treasure of Thailand and of Buddhism, it was concealed to hide it from the enemy then invading Thailand. Funny how things come together as I did not know at the time that I would be paying a visit to the old city of Su...