| Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | Vientiane |
| Country | Laos |
  Shown within Laos | |
| Geographic coordinates | 17°57′56″N 102°36′14″E / 17.9656°N 102.6038°E |
Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan (Temple of the Heavy Buddha) is one of many Buddhist monasteries in the city of Vientiane in Laos. This name is given to the temple due to the large, bronze Phra Ong Teu Buddha image that is in the temple: the largest Buddha in Vientiane.[1][2][3] This temple was initially constructed by King Setthathirath I in the 16th century (known as the golden age of Buddhism in Laos) when Laos was being bombarded by the Burmese, but was later demolished during a foreign invasion.[2][4][5] Thus, it may have gone through many reconstructions during the 19th or 20th century to attain the appearance it has today.
Though this temple is created in Vientiane, it has the basic shape for what is known as the ‘Luang Prabang I style’ with its scarce use of brickwork and rectangular-like body.[1][3]
Wat Ong Teu is said to have been placed along a cardinal point in accordance with three other temples but that may just be coincidental.[citation needed]
- ^ a b Brecht, L. (2010). Vientiane, Pt 1 of 3. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http://www.worldisround.com/browse/Asia/SoutheastAsia/Laos/
- ^ a b Fiala, R. D. (2002). Wat Ong Teu, Vientiane, Laos. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/laos/vientiane/wat-ong-teu.php
- ^ a b Ministry of Information and Culture; Rockefeller Foundation. (2005, September 10). Laos Cultural Profile. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Visiting Arts: http://culturalprofiles.net/laos/Directories/Laos_Cultural_Profile/-30.html
- ^ Craft Revival Trust. (2007, May). Laos Crafts. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Craft Revival Quarterly: http://craftrevival.org/CraftSearch.asp?CountryCode=LAOS
- ^ Stuart-Fox, M. (1986). Laos: Politics, Economics and Society. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.