Wat Buppharam
Chiang Mai
The Wat Buppharam just outside the old walled city was built in 1497 during the reign of the Lanna King Muang Kaeo. The temple complex consists of an ubosot, two viharns, a Dhamma hall, a chedi and a well supplying holy water.
The chedi, the oldest structure
One of the oldest remaining structures is the chedi (pagoda) that was built more than four centuries ago in Burmese and Mon style. The white chedi with a golden spire is guarded by four Burmese style lions, called Singha in Thai. The base of the chedi contains a Buddha image on all four sides.
Lanna style viharn
The small Lanna style viharn was likely built during the 16th century. The current structure is more current, as the building was renovated in 1819. The large Buddha image contained in it is around three centuries old.
The principal viharn
The larger viharn was built around two centuries ago. This structure contains magnificent murals depicting scenes from one of the Jataka tales about the previous lives of the Buddha. This story, called the Vessantara Jataka tells of Prince Vessantara, who gives away everything he owns demonstrating the virtue of charity, one of the virtues of a Bodhisattva.
The principal Buddha image of the viharn was cast around 500 years ago. The richly carved wooden door panels made in 1983 depict the Himavanta forest, the forest surrounding Mount Meru in Hindu mythology.
The large Dhamma hall
The largest structure of the Wat Buppharam is the two story Ho Monthian Tham, the Dhamma hall that was completed in 1996. This structure is not in the traditional Lanna style, instead is has a cruciform shape, in the center of which is a structure in the shape of a mondop. The entrance to the Dhamma hall is guarded by Makaras, a creature from Hindu mythology depicted as partly sea animal, partly land animal. In front of the Ho Monthian hall is a walking Buddha image.
Murals of the Dhamma hall
The Ho Monthian hall contains several magnificent mural paintings. On the first floor you will find a depiction of large groups of people gathering for a ceremony at the chedi of the Wat Chiang Man temple, also in Chiang Mai.
The second floor contains a mural of a view of Chiang Mai showing a large number of Buddhist chedis and temples in the area like the Wat Suan Dok and the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in the mountains.
Buddha images of the Dhamma hall
The second floor contains two important Buddha images. The first one is a sitting Buddha in the Bhumisparsha posture. The image named Phra Buddha Narit was made over 400 years ago and is the largest teak wood Buddha image in Thailand. The wood carvings behind the image depict the history of the Buddha image. The second image also in the Bhumisparsha posture is made out of bronze.
The small ubosot or ordination hall is built in traditional Lanna style. The water supplied by the holy well was once used to anoint the Kings of Chiang Mai.
The small garden in front of the temple contains an interesting lineup of figurines including giraffes and even Donald Duck. The Wat Buppharam temple entrance is guarded by mythological guarding animals.
How to get to the Wat Buppharam
The Wat Buppharam temple is located just outside the old walled part of Chiang Mai on Tha Pae road, just East of Tha Pae gate in the city wall.
From anywhere in the old city you can easily get there by tuk tuk (negotiate a price before leaving) or drive there yourself on a rented bicycle.
Opening hours
The temple grounds are open daily from 6 am until 5 pm.
Entrance fee
Admission is free.