Introduction
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is situated in Banglumphu area on Phra Sumeru road, near the Wan Chart bridge and Banglumphu market. This monastery is located on the northeast side of Sanam Luang or Ratanakosin Island.
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is the national head quarter for Thammayut monastic sect. The founder of this sect was King Mongkut who started a royal tradition by entering the monkhood here. Wat Bowonniwet Vihara has been the residence of members who enter the monk-hood.
King Bhumibol and the crown Prince Vajiralongkorn along with other males in the royal family had been temporarily ordained as monks here. It has been the residence of many of the supreme patriarchs of Buddhist church in Thailand and Buddhist University, Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya University has been also housed here.
Prince Bowon Makasakdipolsep, Vice king of Rama III ordered the construction this temple with Wat Rangsisuthawasa between 1824 - 1832 A.D.
At the first, this temple was called “Wat Mai” but when King Rama III invited King Mongkut (future King Rama IV) who was monk from Wat Samorai (Rajathiwas) to be abbot of the temple, the name of Wat Mai was changed to Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. But Wat Rangsisuthawasa, which was poor condition, was incorporated into Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in the reign of King Rama VI.
Decorations of the temple were built during the third reign it has many examples of Chinese art, such as the chapel of ordination hall (Phra Ubosoth), Vihara Keng, the doors of chapel and Vihara Phra Sri Sasada. Within the Phra Ubosoth (chapel), there are murals above the windows illustraing Dhamama teachings in to westerm figures and scences as the work of Khrua In Khong.
Two Sections of the temple
A. The chapel section (Buddhawasa) is consisted of Ubosoth, Stupa and Buddha images and
B. The Residential section (Sanghawasa) is a living area for monks & novices.
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