The Walking Buddha at Phuttha Monthon (Buddha Mandala).
Through the centuries Buddhism has been the main driving force in Thai cultural development.
In 1957 (B.E. 2500), to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of the Buddha's Parinirvana, Premier Field Marshal Phibulsonggram initiated the construction project of a Buddha's
precinct called Phuttha Monthon (Buddha Mandala) by securing 160 hectares of land in Nakhon Pathom.
Intended as a center of all Buddhist learnings, various buildings were to be erected on this vast consecrated piece of land. Libraries were to be built to collect Buddhist manuscripts, scriptures and other related literary works.
Also planned were buildings for religious training for monks, scholars, and interesred laymen from all over the world. Museums were also to be constructed to house Buddhist religious objects.
After a long delay, the project was revived in 1973 by General Kriengsak's goverment. In 1980 Prime Minister General Phem appointed the Fine Arts Department to cast a Buddha image in the walking posture,
which had originally been made several decades ago by Prof. Silpa Bhirasri, the father of modern Thai art.
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