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the 1300s when it was known as Siam, Wat              Today, the approach to the temple, re-
            Si Chum or Temple of the Bodhi Tree               stored in the 1950s, lets visitors glimpse
            houses a colossal seated Buddha with a            the Buddha’s head through a slender
            storied past. During one of Siam’s many           opening in the entry wall. Only when they
            clashes with Burma (now Myanmar), mili-           step inside is the grandeur of this 50-foot
            tary morale flagged and defeat loomed.            tall figure revealed. The long elegant fin-
            To motivate his troops a clever king sent a       gers of one hand resting on his knee
            soldier behind the statue via a secret            gleam with gold leaf added by believers
            staircase to address the soldiers as if           “making merit” or seeking good karma.
            Buddha were speaking. Reinvigorated, the          We silently send our hopes and wishes
            Siamese prevailed.                                into this benevolent space.































































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