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Read the following story by Pichaya Svasti from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Just a short walk from Bangkok’s backpacker hub Khao San Road is Bowon Niwet Temple. Since October, Thais have flocked here to pay their respects to the ashes of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
ROYAL HISTORY
The King was ordained and spent his monkhood at the temple for 15 days from October 22 to November 5, 1956. Later on, he supported the temple in various ways, including sponsoring restorations and donating Buddha statues.
Bowon Niwet is one of two temples to have special privileges because of its royal associations. The other, Ratchabophit Temple, is home to the royal cemetery. Bowon Niwet is of historical and religious importance because four supreme patriarchs used to live there and numerous kings and royals were ordained and spent their time in the monkhood at the temple.
Bowon Niwet Temple is a first-class royal temple, located within the city walls. It was rebuilt by Somdet Phra Bowonratchao Mahasakpollasep, the viceroy of King Rama III, between 1824 and 1832.
KINGS’ WAY
At the entrance of the temple, there is a pavilion for kings to change before entering. Stepping past the kamphaeng kaeo (walls around the chapel), there is a sema stone (demarcation stone) attached to the front exterior wall.
Rows of pillars line the length of the ubosot (chapel), which houses the temple’s principal Buddha statue, Phra Phuttha Chinnasi, built in the Sukhothai style. Behind this statue is another Buddha image known as Phra Suwannakhet.
Other interesting features include the living quarters, Phra Tamnak Punya and Phra Tamnak Song Phrot, where the late King stayed during his monkhood, and teak and cannonball trees planted by the King. The temple has a number of Buddha images donated by the King, including Phra Phuttha Narawantabophit and Phra Phuttha Nawaratbophit.
FINAL RESTING PLACE
Inside the base of Phra Phuttha Chinnasi are the ashes of King Rama VI, placed there by King Rama VII on March 25, 1925. Today, they are accompanied by the ashes of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
On the right side of Phra Phuttha Chinnasi is the Phra Phuttha Sayamabhiwatbophit — which is one of the four Buddha statues commissioned by the late King to commemorate his 50th birthday. The four statues were moulded at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, on November 1, 1977.
Bowon Niwet Temple is a site of great importance for Thais due to its historical significance, its architecture and art and as home to the ashes of King Rama VI and King Rama IX.
SECTION 1
Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. What is Bowon Niwet Temple’s main Buddha image called?
a. Phra Phuttha Sayamabhiwatbophit
b. Phra Phuttha Chinnasi.
c. Phra Phuttha Narawantabophit.
2. How long did the late King spend in the monkhood?
a. 15 days.
b. Eight years.
c. 50 years.
3. When was the temple rebuilt?
a. In the 19th century.
b. In 1956.
c. In 1977.
4. Whose ashes are housed inside the base of the temple’s principal Buddha image?
a. King Rama VI’s and King Rama VII’s.
b. King Rama VI’s and King Rama IX’s.
c. King Rama VI’s, King Rama VII’s and King Rama IX’s.
5. How many supreme patriarchs have lived in the temple?
a. None.
b. Two.
c. Four.
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?
a. The temple’s chapel was built in the Ayutthaya style.
b. The late King planted several trees in the temple grounds.
c. The viceroy of King Rama III built the temple.
7. Which of the following statements is NOT true, according to the article?
a. The kamphaeng kaew are the walls around the chapel.
b. Bowon Niwet Temple is a temple of minor significance.
c. Behind the temple’s principal Buddha image stands Phra Suwannakhet.
SECTION 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.
8. restoration
……..
9. ordain
……..
10. quarters
……..
11. flock
……..
12. commemorate
……..
13. commission
……..
SECTION 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
The living quarters Phra Tamnak Song Phrot and Phra Tamnak Punya …..14….. north of the ubosot. Nearby are Phra Tamnak Chandra and Phra Tamnak Phet, …..15….. are also used as living quarters and the meeting hall …..16….. former abbot and supreme patriarch Krom Phraya Vajirayanvaroros. Behind the chapel is the main pagoda, Phra Maha Chedi, which is about 11 metres tall. …..17….. enshrines the Lord Buddha’s relics. Behind the pagoda …..18….. a hall called Wihan Phra Satsada, which is …..19….. to Buddha statue Phra Satsada.
14.
a. is
b. are
c. was
15.
a. who
b. where
c. which
16.
a. of
b. to
c. in
17.
a. They
b. It
c. Those
18.
a. are
b. is
c. were
19.
a. house
b. housed
c. home
SECTION 4
Write down the adjective forms of the following words used in the story in the space provided.
20. privilege
……………………
21. patriarch
……………………
22. support
……………………
23. significance
……………………
24. respect
……………………
Answers
Section 1
1. b.
2. a.
3. a.
4. b.
5. c.
6. b.
7. b.
Section 2
8. e.
9. d.
10. b.
11. c.
12. f.
13. a.
Section 3
14. b.
15. c.
16. a.
17. b.
18. b.
19. c.
Section 4
20. Privileged.
21. Patriarchal.
22. Supportive/supporting.
23. Significant.
24. Respectful/respectable.
SCORE
21-24: Excellent!
17-20: Good.
13-16: Fair.
12 or fewer: You'll do better next time!
