View source for Great Buddha of Thailand

{{short description|Tallest statue in Thailand}}
{{for|the Big Buddha in Koh Samui, Thailand|Wat Phra Yai}}
{{Infobox monument
|monument_name = Great Buddha of Thailand
|native_name   = ''พระพุทธมหานวมินทรศากยมุนีศรีวิเศษชัยชาญ (Phra Phuttha Mahanawamintra Sakayamunee Sri Visejchaicharn)''
|image         = Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin Sakayamuni Sri Wisetchaichan.jpg
|caption       =
|location      = Wat Muang, [[Wiset Chai Chan District|Wiset Chai Chan]], [[Ang Thong Province|Ang Thong]], [[Thailand]]
|designer      =
|type          = [[Buddha statue]] in [[Maravijaya attitude]]
|material      = Concrete
|length        =
|width         =
|height        = {{convert|92|m|ft}}
|begin         =
|complete      = 2008
|open          =
|dedicated_to  = [[Buddha]] ([[Guatama]])
|map_image     =
|map_caption   =
|map_width     =
|coordinates   = {{coord|14|35|35.60|N|100|22|40.02|E|type:landmark_region:TH|name=Great Buddha of Thailand (Ang Thong, Thailand)}}
|lat           =
|long          =
|extra         =
}}
The '''Great Buddha of Thailand''', also known as '''The Big Buddha''', '''The Big Buddha of Thailand''', '''Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin''', and '''Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn''' ({{lang-th|พระพุทธมหานวมินทรศากยมุนีศรีวิเศษชัยชาญ}}; {{RTGS|''Phra Phuttha Maha Nawaminthara Sakkayamuni Si Wiset Chai Chan''}}), was in November 2018 the tallest statue in [[Thailand]], the second tallest statue in [[Southeast Asia]], and the ninth-tallest in the world.<ref>[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-tallest-statues-in-the-world.html The Tallest Statues In The World], worldatlas.com. November 2018.</ref>

Located in the [[Wat Muang]] temple in [[Ang Thong Province]],<ref>[http://www.visit-chiang-mai-online.com/biggest-buddha-thailand.html The Biggest Buddha in Thailand ?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> this statue stands 92&nbsp;m (300&nbsp;ft) high, and is 63&nbsp;m (210&nbsp;ft) wide. Construction commenced in 1990, and was completed in 2008. It is painted gold and made of concrete.<ref>[http://www.dimensionsguide.com/how-big-is-the-biggest-buddha-statue/ How Big is The Biggest Buddha Statue? | Dimensions Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Buddha is in the seated posture called [[Maravijaya Attitude]].

The statue was built following the order of Phra Kru Vibul Arjarakhun, the first abbot of Wat Muang temple, in order to commemorate the [[Bhumibol|King Bhumibol]] of Thailand. The statue was built using the donated money from faithful Buddhists considering as the act of making merit. The budget spent on the statue was roughly 104,200,000 [[baht]].

== Names ==
The statue's formal name, Phra Phuttha Mahanawamintra Sakayamunee Sri Visejchaicharn ({{lang-th|พระพุทธมหานวมินทรศากยมุนีศรีวิเศษชัยชาญ}}), was given by Phra Khru Vibul Arjarakun, and means "the Lord Buddha of Wiset Chai Chan, Built in Honor of [[Bhumibol|King Bhumibol]]." The name is a blend of [[Sanskrit]] words: Phra Phuttha ({{Lit|Lord Buddha}}, Sanskrit {{IAST|{{linktext|vara|buddha}}}}); Mahanawamintra (Bhumibol's royal title, Sanskrit {{IAST|{{linktext|mahā|nava|mindra}}}}), Sakayamunee (Sanskrit {{IAST|{{linktext|śākya|munī}}}}), and Visejchaicharn (Sanskrit {{IAST|{{linktext|śrī|viśeṣa|jaya|jāña}}}})

The statue is also known as ''Luangpho Yai'' (หลวงพ่อใหญ่) or ''Luangpho To'' (หลวงพ่อโต); neither terms refer to any specific Buddha statue. The names literally mean Big Buddha, and are used for any colossal Buddha statue.

==See also==
* [[Buddhism in Thailand]]
* [[Buddhist art]]
* [[Laykyun Sekkya]]
* [[List of tallest statues]]
* Other tallest statues in [[Thailand]]
** Phra Phuttha Chok at [[Wat Khao Wong Phrachan]], the 2nd-tallest (75 m.)
** Guan Yin at [[Wat Huay Pla Kang]], the 3rd-tallest (69 m.)
** [[Luangpho Yai]], the 4th-tallest (59.2 m.)
** [[Phuket Big Buddha]], the 5th-tallest (45 m.)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons cat|Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin Sakayamuni Sri Wisetchaichan}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091106215711/http://www.weishan.hn.cn/wM_ReadNews.asp?newsid=144 Images]

{{Colossal Buddha statues}}

[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in Thailand]]
[[Category:Colossal Buddha statues]]
[[Category:Concrete Buddha statues]]
[[Category:2008 sculptures]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thailand]]
[[Category:Ang Thong province]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 2008]]
[[Category:Concrete sculptures]]
[[Category:Buddha statues in Thailand]]
[[Category:Statues in Thailand]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Thailand]]


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