Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand

Jan. 01, 1912 - The Entrance to the shrine room is guarded by bronze lions copied from Burmese designs, and which serve to prevent the entry of evil spirits. Every square inch of the walls and ceilings is elaborately ecorated. The Siamese have no real art of their own, but utilise Indian and Chinese decoration. the combination makes a pleasing effect. The temple of the Emerald Buddha: Siam's private royal temple photographed probably for the first time. Most beautiful and fabulous of ail the temples in Aisa, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, shrine of the kings of Siam, has seldom if ever before been open for photography. These pictures, just received from out staff correspondent, were taken be special permission and show something of its majesty and mystery. In every other Buddhist temple live monks and novices, headed by a chief Abbot of the Temple. The King's Temple is however, so exclusive and sacred, that no monk is permitted to stay within. Greatest treasure in the Temple is the priceless Emerald Buddha, palladium of Siam, and the most precious image of Buddha in existence. The temple is part of the Grand Palace in bangkok, enclosed in its double walls. The palace is no longer occupied by the king, but the temple is frequently visited by him. Once a week the temple is open to the public, under many atchful eyes of the guardiens. Normally all photography is forbidden. The sacred image itself is only 31 inches high, carved from solid green jasperand mounted almost out of sight on a 34 foot high throne, Three times yearly the golden jewelled ornament decorating it are changed. Only the king or specially appointed deputy may perform the task. The Buddha was legend says carved in India about 2, 000 years ago by Viesukaarm, architecht of the gods, for a monk named Nagasana. It was seized as booty when the Siamese conquered Laos in the 18th century and enshrined in bangkok in 1782

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