Golden Buddha statues sit at the entrance and inside

two Buddha statues and a worshiper — Buddha statues at Wat Suthat

As I climbed the stairs to the entrance of the hall built at Wat Suthat in Bangkok, I saw a small golden Buddha statue sitting in front of the entrance. It had its right hand pointing downwards in a descending demon seal. Although an offering of flowers was placed on its lap, this Buddha statue was not the principal object of worship at this temple. The main deity of this temple is the large Phra Sri Sakyamuni Buddha statue seen behind this Buddha statue. It is also shining in gold, and its hand is in the shape of a demon-subduing seal. Incidentally, the "descending demon seal" symbolizes a strong mind that seeks the truth without being defeated by temptation or obstacles. The fact that the demon-subduing seal is shown both at the entrance and inside the hall probably represents how easily we are tempted.

When you look at the small Buddha statue that sits at the entrance and the large Phra Sri Sakyamuni that sits inside the hall at the same time, they look somewhat like a father and son of Buddha statues. And strangely enough, I think the smaller one is the father. I wonder why. It was as if there was an eyeball father from Gegege no Kitaro living inside me and I was subconsciously made to understand that the smaller one was the parent.

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