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Chiang Mai Visit to Doi Inthanon Pagoda
Visit Doi Inthanon Pagoda, Phra Maha That Naphamethinidon. Phra Maha That Naphamethinidon http://www.hotsia.com > Chiang Mai > Visit Doi Inthanon Pagoda. Information about the great pagoda at Doi Inthanon from the Royal Thai Air Force website http://www.rtaf.mi.th/rtaf-travel/jd.htm. Phra Maha That Naphamethinidon was built on the occasion of the Royal Thai Air Force's 72nd anniversary on March 27, 1987, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King
Celebrating His Majesty's 60th birthday on December 5 of the same year, the Royal Thai Air Force officials, led by Air Chief Marshal Praphan Thupatemi, Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, and senior officers agreed to collectively donate funds to build a memorial monument to commemorate this important occasion for the Air Force and to honor His Majesty with a royal merit offering on this auspicious occasion. The collective donation to build such a memorial would bring great royal merit
worthy of the grand occasion of the 60th birthday anniversary, as well as to proclaim the great royal status of His Majesty who has reigned longer than any other monarch. On July 2, 1988, nothing else could compare to the construction of a great stupa enshrining the sacred relics of the Lord Buddha. The people recognized that His Majesty not only holds the supreme position as the foremost patron of Buddhism
especially in nurturing and promoting Buddhism to flourish more than in any previous reign, but also has profound royal faith and devotion to Buddhism. Not only does He offer Buddhist worship with offerings, but He also practices meditation with sincere faith to attain true realization. The construction of the great stupa by the Royal Thai Air Force as a royal merit offering is the only way for the Air Force to express their utmost gratitude
even though it may not fully match the supreme power and grace of the Great King whose influence spreads across the land and sky. The site for this great stupa should be located at the highest point on Thai soil accessible by the Air Force to build, to befit the great kindness, mercy, and purity of His Majesty the King, so that it may stand highest
and in the hearts of all subjects. The Air Force therefore chose a peak on Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand, as the location to build the great stupa. Later, His Majesty graciously bestowed the name as requested by the Air Force: "Phra Maha That Naphamethinidon." This great stupa enshrines the sacred relics of the Lord Buddha, reaching from sky to earth. Devout Buddhists who worship the Lord Buddha
or other faithful subjects deeply loyal to His Majesty the King, upon seeing the great stupa and learning the reason for its construction as a royal merit offering, will feel joy and reverence, offering blessings every time. They will also see it as a sign that the Buddha's virtues, the power of the Triple Gem, and the grace of His Majesty the King,
the Great King whose greatness spans from sky to earth, will protect all directions throughout the kingdom and grant the people under His reign peace, prosperity, happiness, growth, stability, and eternal defeat of enemies. Phra Maha That Naphaphonphumisiri is a most auspicious year for the Thai people as it marks the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen's 60th birthday on
The Royal Thai Air Force recognizes the royal conduct of Her Majesty the Queen, who has diligently performed her duties continuously since assuming her royal status, demonstrating her firm determination to follow in the footsteps of His Majesty the King by dedicating her body, heart, and wealth to royal duties for the relief and welfare of the people.
With a heart full of compassion wishing for the people's happiness and freedom from suffering and poverty, whenever disaster strikes the subjects, she personally visits to help resolve, alleviate, and ease their hardships. Military, police, civilian officials, and national defense personnel receive great encouragement. Her royal prestige spreads worldwide and is admired by many nations. The Thai people
are deeply proud and eternally grateful for her great kindness. On this most auspicious occasion, the Royal Thai Air Force and the Thai people have united to build the great stupa as a humble royal merit offering and tribute to Her Majesty the Queen, the mother of all Thai people, on the summit of Doi Inthanon, as an important sacred site alongside Phra Maha That Naphamethinidon.
Visitors who come to pay respects can remember the great kindness of both royal figures forever. The great stupa built by the Royal Thai Air Force and humbly offered was graciously named by Her Majesty the Queen as "Phra Maha That Naphaphonphumisiri," meaning "Strength of the Sky, Glory of the Earth." The stupa's shape resembles that of Phra Maha That Naphamethinidon.
It has a dodecagonal shape with two wide surrounding terraces for Buddhists and visitors to perform circumambulation and enjoy panoramic views. The stupa measures 37 meters wide at the lower terrace and 55 meters high, which is 5 meters lower than Phra Maha That Naphamethinidon, symbolizing that Her Majesty the Queen is 5 years younger than His Majesty the King.
At the pinnacle of the stupa is the enshrinement of sacred relics contained in a replica of the Hariphunchai relics, divided into four parts: one given by Her Majesty the Queen, one by Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, one by the Sri Lankan government, and one by the Air Force Commander and devotees. Inside the stupa hall are decorations depicting royal duties.
