Phra Maha Nagjinavon Waranuson MongkutraT

    The imposing Buddha image at Phya Thai Palace was cast to dedicate merit to King Vajiravudh on the initiative of Major General Panya Yooprasert, director of Phra Mongkutklao Medical College. The project was financed by the money remaining from the first group-ordination of medical college students on March 19, 1989 and the support from the general’s superior together with contribution from officials, patients, and the general public.

    The Supreme Patriarch, Somdet Phra Yanasangvon, who had given specifications for the image, presided over the image-casting ceremony held on the lawn in front of the statue of King Vajiravudh at Phya Thai Palace. He also presided over the celebration of the image at the Thewarat Sapharom Hall on January 6, 1990.

    H.R.H. the Princess Mother graciously named the image Phra Maha Nagjinavon Waranuson Mongkutrat, an enlarged version of Phra Maha Nagjina, which King Vajiravudh had cast and placed at Wat Bavon Nivetvihan, while he was a monk there. The distinctive feature of this image is that the Buddha is seated in a meditative attitude with the right hand over the left, under a canopy of seven-headed naga. This style of Buddha is believed to be of special importance to those born on Saturday. According to legend, after his enlightenment, one of the trees  the Blessed One seated himself under, chik tree (Barringtonia acutangula). Unseasonable rain accompanied by icy wind raged all seven days and seven nights he sat there. A naga called Mutchalin came and coiled himself around the Buddha seven times to protect him from rain and cold and insects.