Journey to Peace Village

Yesterday I paid a visit to Wat Pho, also known as "The Reclining Buddha." Located in the heart of Bangkok, Wat Pho is one of those "must sees." The image of the reclining Buddha is a city block long and symbolizes the passing of the Buddha into Nirhvana. The feet are inlaid with mother of pearl and inscribed with 108 characteristics of the true Buddha.

Wat Pho is site of the first university in Thailand and is still a center of learning. As I tooled around the large grounds I saw people in a classroom studying and also noted many galleries and libraries with old manuscripts.

It is also a center of Thai Massage. Thai Massage utilizes a variety of techniques familiar in other styles of massage, along with some chiropractic type manuevers. It is not just a gentle massage, so be forewarned! In fact, I went to the spa at the hotel. I didn't get the Thai massage but a more generic type and the masseuse still did some of the limb and digit type stretches. But I did feel better afterward!

Labels: Bangkok, Buddhism, religion and culture, Thailand