Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand

Mar. 27 Strange figures in a variety of colours support one of the towers in the Emerald Temple. The Temple of the emerald Buddha: slam's private Royal Temple photographed probably for the first time: Most beautiful and fabulous of all the temples in Asia, the Temple of the emerald Buddha, shrine of the Kings of Siam, has seldom of ever before been open for photography. These pictures, just received from our staff correspondent, were taken by 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 scared, 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 guardians. Normally all photography is forbidden. The sacred image itself is only 31 inches high, carved from solid green jasper and mounted almost out of sight on a 34 foot high throne. Three times yearly the golden jeweled ornaments 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 Vissukarm, architect of the gods, from a monk named Nagasana. It was sized as booty when the Siamese conquered Laos in the 18th century and enshrined in Bangkok in 1782

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