12 December 2007, Wat Po in Amphoe Khemarat, Ubon Ratchathani Province (part 2). The gold, robed Buddha image is elevated, and flanked by portraits of the King. Between the King's portraits are offerings of flowers and candles set on a multi-tiered shelf unit (the 4-level shelf unit has beautiful and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay--it looks to be made of rosewood, or perhaps stained teak). The walls of the sala, or temple, have painted murals…these murals are unusually realistic and colorful.
This is one panel from the various painted murals along the interior of the sala...this one depicts (I think) part of the spiritual journey of Sittata, a royal who left his family to become a monk. The imagery on the right side panel, where he cuts off his hair, we’ve seen before in other temples.
This panel shows later events in the life of Sittata...he walks on a lotus flower, and is seated upon a huge lotus flower, which (we think) symbolizes his enlightened state.
This Buddha image may have special significance, as it sits upon a safe where there is a money slot for offerings. Also, people have been putting gold leaf on the statue--the offering bowl to the left of the image holds orchid blooms. The image does appear old, but no one in our party could recall why it was special, and what importance it held for the Wat and its worshipers.
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