The Vihara of the Reclining Buddha or Phra Buddhasaiyas (Viharn Phranorn), the building is constructed for containing the important Buddha image, the Reclining Buddha. King Rama III told his nobleman, Krom Muen Pumintarapakdi (Prince Laddawan), the head of department of the Ten Crafts as a construction team leader. After having noulded the image of the Reclining Buddha, the team continued with the hall.The image was made of stuccoed bricks gilded with gold leaves. This statue is 46 metres long, with the dimensions at the face of 15 metres high and at each foot of 3 metres high and 5 metres long.
The soles of the statue's feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl showing the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha. This is the largest and most beautiful piece of fine arts of the Buddha image in a reclining position found in Thailand.
The mother of pearl inlay at the feet of the image is of Thai-Chinese style, as indicated by 108 auspicious signs portraying natural scenes of both Indian and Chinese influences.
On the inner wall of this vihara, you will see mural paintings of three topics: “Mahawong” (Historical annals of Ceylon) up the windows; “13 Savida Atadagga Disciples (Priestess)”, “10 Upasaka Atadagga Disciples” and “10 Upasika Atadagga Disciples” between each window.
The 2 nd Buddhist architecture is called Phra Uposatha, (the main chapel or Bot or the Assembly Hall – a hall used for performing the monastic ritual). For Buddhists, the main chapel is the heart of the monastery, as without a main chapel, it would be a monk center and not a monastery.
The main chapel was constructed in the reign of King Rama I in Ayudhya style. It was then reconstructed and enlarged during the reign of King Rama III. All sheltered windows and doors are made of hard wood with crown–like spires and colour-glazed tiles. Inlays of mother–of–pearl on the outer side of the entrance door panels depict episodes from the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Ramayana – the world famous Indian epic); while on the inner side are painted specimens of ecclesiastical fans of rank which are presented to the monk sovereigns.
The principal Buddha image is “Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn” in a gesture of seated Buddha on a three tiered pedestal called Phra Pang Smardhi (Lord Buddha in the posture of conoentration), and some ashes of King Rama I are kept under the pedestal. The mural paintings in the hall depict Mahosatha Pandita (The Great Bachelor of Mithila City), The heavens, and Phra Etadagga a disciple. On the middle tier there are two images of the Original Disciples, while the eight effigies of the Holy Priests stand on the lowest pedestal. Inside panels of the windows are decorated with lacquer work of the seals of these monastery dignitaries (in the reign of king Rama III).




