Wat Yai Chaiya Mongkhon

Guide : This temple was founded by King U-thong, the first king of Ayutthaya in 1357A.D. for monks who had received ordination and had studied Buddhism in Ceylon. It was called Wat Pa Kaew at that time.

Tourist : Did he also build this stupa? Tourist : For what purpose? Guide : No, he didn’t. This stupa was built by the 19th reign, King Naresuan, in1592 A.D.

Guide : King Naresuan had a victory over the Burmese prince, Phra maha Uparacha Mang Samkiat during the elephant combat at Nong Sarai in Suphanburi province.

To commemorate this victory the king built this stupa and named it Chedi Chaiya Mongkhon, which means ‘the stupa of Great Victory’ It is also believed that the relics of the great king were interred inside this stupa.

It’s supposed to be the tallest Ceylonese stupa in Ayutthaya. The height from the base to the balustrade is 12 meters and the height of the stupa measuring from the balustrade to the summit is 60 meters.

Tourist : Has the temple remained in good condition like this from the Ayutthaya period? Guide : Oh, no. When Ayutthaya fell in 1767 A.D, this temple was deserted. It was not until 1957 when some monks took up residence for the rainy season. From then on they started to restore this temple

Comprehension exercise Say whether the following statements are true or false. ____ 1. The old name of Wat Yai Chaya Mongkhon was Wat Pa Kaew.

____ 2. Wat Yai Chaiya Mongkhon was built by King Naresuan, the 19th reign of Ayutthaya. ____ 3. After King U-thong had built the temple, he built the large stupa to commemorate his success.

____ 4. The total height of the stupa from the ground level to the summit is 60 meters. ____ 5. It is likely that King Naresuan preferred a stupa to a prang. ____ 6. There were no resident monks in Wat Yai Chaiya Mongkhon from 1767 A.D. to 1956 A.D.

Charanya Prateng No. 5 Class M.5/9 Thakun Charoenpiboon No.16 Class M.5/9 The advisor Teacher Jantana Kham-anukul