The design characteristics of Chinese Buddhist temples traditionally stress peace, tranquility, and nirvana. The architectural styles employed therefore often tend to be quite plain, giving visitors a feeling of serenity.

However, Phra Kanajanjin Dhamma Punya Jariyaporn, vice patriarch of the Leng Nua Yee Buddhist sect in Bangkok’s Chinatown district of Yaowarat, says that since Wat Mangkornkamalavas was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Accession to the Throne in 1996, it needed to be impressive.

The huge cost involved (estimated at over a billion baht [US$31.7 million]) and time spent on construction (12 years) demonstrates the importance placed on ensuring the completed temple was suitably impressive.

“Since it was built to commemorate the anniversary, the decoration needed to be suitably impressive,” Phra Kanajanjin said. “Like how the Chinese-style landscaped garden perfectly encompasses the temple’s main building.”

Since its recent official opening, presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the temple has attracted a huge number of visitors, including novices, monks, as well as interested members of the public keen to get some snaps of the site.

The original aim of the building was not only to provide shelter to monks, but also to act as a seat of learning for Chinese-Thai Buddhist novices.

Sutee Jintananarumit, the temple’s architect, concedes that the design characteristics of the temple’s main edifice, which features a sizable stairway, have been influenced by the main palace within Beijing’s Forbidden City, which Sutee had been impressed by during a visit years earlier. Indeed, there is a connection with the Beijing tourist attraction since the calligraphy found within the temple’s interior was created by eight artists who were involved in renovation work at the Forbidden City.

Inside the main hall are three gracefully-poised Buddha statues cast in brass, and modeled by Chinese artists. Each weighs up to 18 tons.

There are also 18 statues of arhats (Buddhist saints), and an elaborate mural depicting 24 dancing aspara (a female spirit of clouds and water), along with 500 other religious figures.

In the Jathulokabal shrine hall, located on the second floor of the main building, a huge tower features a huge drum and four brass bells. Here you’ll also find the changing hall and Burapajarn Hall.

On the third floor is the ubosot (Ordination Hall). A large image of a bodhisattva (sometimes described as a “wisdom being”) known as Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva sits in the middle of this hall. This bodhisattva, crafted from Burmese teakwood, is known among Chinese Buddhists as Guan Yin, and is revered as the embodiment of compassion.

The Meun Buddhasukkavadi Buddhakaset Hall occupies the fourth floor of the main temple building.



Special effects

Chinese-style Buddhist temples appear to have a lot in common with palaces, such as accommodating a courtyard in its main form. Chinese Buddhist architecture has always been quite unique and creative, veering away from simply transplanting original Indian forms.