The Emerald Buddha

The lavish ornamentation of the main hall (Wat Phra Kaew) where the Emerald Buddha is housed, defies description (and, photos are simply not allowed). All are invited in to silently contemplate this tiny (roughly 2 feet tall) jade statue (yes, I know, it’s called the Emerald Buddha although it’s truly made of jade. The first monk who found it didn’t realize what it was because it was encased in plaster and he only saw a small tip of it that showed through a hole), situated on the top of a mythical altar. There was something very calming, very humbling about sitting in the room, amidst people of every religion, all paying their respect to this tiny shrine.