Wat Phra Kaeo - The Library


	The Library (Phra Mondop)

The Library is a replica of the mondop at Wat Phra Buddhabat in Saraburi Province. It is crowned with a superstructure in the form of the Thai crown and houses the fully revised edition of the Pali Tripitaka, known as the "Royal Golden Edition". The revision of the scriptures was done by King Rama I at Wat Mahathat in 1788. It is said that the floor inside the Phra Mondop is paved with thin pieces of silver. H.R.H. Prince Naris admired this library very much for its style and decoration, such as a bronze snake with human faces (left), rather than reptilian ones, on the railing of each staircase, the yaksha guardians and the mother-of-pearl inlaid door panels.

Interesting Objects around the Library

Dhyani Buddhas This is one of the four Dhyani Buddhas seated at the four corners of the Library. They are replicas of earlier ones installed there by King Rama V. The earlier ones which were made of volcanic stone were obtained from Candi Plaosan (9th-10th century AD) in Java by King Rama V. They are now being housed in the Museum of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Model of Angkor Wat To the north of the Library, King Mongkut had built a model of Angkor Wat as Cambodia was still a vassal state of Thailand at that time. This model was finished in the reign of King Rama V for the centenary celebration of Bangkok.

Gilded Chedis (Phra Chedi Thong) The two gilded chedis north of the Library were built in commemoration of the King Rama I's parents. They are named Phra Chedi Thong which means Golden Chedi. The bases of the chedis were ornamented with statues of yakshas supporting the chedis.