Zone 5
Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda

The second highest point of the Monastery, this zone features 3 not-to-miss attractions:

Thorana Gateway

Thorana Gateway

Thorana Gateway is placed before Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda as an allegory. The Gateway represents an entrance, a passage to the Noble Eightfold Path; one must traverse this Path to reach enlightenment, which is symbolized by the Pagoda. Becoming enlightened—the ultimate goal of Buddhists—requires transcending desire and eliminating what pleases and displeases us (pleasures and displeasures) because they originate from and give rise to defilements. Only then will we progress toward liberation and, ultimately, Nirvana, signified by the Pagoda ahead. Thus, considering its meanings, Thorana Gateway is a gate through which very few can pass.

Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda

Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda or Little Buddha Gaya represents the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment, a signature attraction of the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness. It was constructed to commemorate King Rama IX’s Diamond Jubilee in 2006. (The construction initiative began in 1999.)

Made up of multiple floors, Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda replicates nearly every detail of the original one in Bodh Gaya India--but with a few notable differences.
First, whereas as the original in India is fifty-six meters tall, the replicated pagoda here is twenty-eight meters high. Its height corresponds to the total number of Buddhas who have reached Nirvana. Second, the tip of the pagoda at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness is made of bronze to reflect the historical shape, material, and design of the authentic one in India. The tip of the original pagoda in Bodh Gaya has now been changed to gold. Finally, the small statues decorating the exterior of the Pagoda at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness reflect a unique integration of Thai and Indian art; they don’t seem exactly Thai or Indian, making them distinct.
The first floor of Sri Maharaj Pagoda features a replica of Phra Buddha Metta Santipap (the Buddha of Mercy and Peace), the principal Buddha inside Buddha Gaya Pagoda in India. The replicated statue here retains all traits of the original, except for its size, composition, color, and figures at the base.
The second floor features Phra Sri Ariya Maettrai Sakayasingh (Maitreya), Buddha of the future. He will emerge after the age of the current Buddha comes to an end. This floor opens out to a scenic 360 degree terrace, where you can see beautiful fields and forest from the second highest point of Bodhisattva Mountain.

Perimeter of Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda

The perimeter of the entrance to the Pagoda features delicate statues of gold Buddhas and white stuccoes of various flowers and animals. They reflect a creative mixture of Indian and Thai artistry, so although the Pagoda is a replication of the original in India, it also shows Thai characteristics. Of note is the Invincible, Evil-Defeating Buddha affixed to the back exterior of Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda facing three bodhi trees, which were grown from the seeds of the tree in India, where the Buddha gained enlightenment.
Thorana Gateway

Thorana Gateway

Thorana Gateway is placed before Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda as an allegory. The Gateway represents an entrance, a passage to the Noble Eightfold Path; one must traverse this Path to reach enlightenment, which is symbolized by the Pagoda. Becoming enlightened—the ultimate goal of Buddhists—requires transcending desire and eliminating what pleases and displeases us (pleasures and displeasures) because they originate from and give rise to defilements. Only then will we progress toward liberation and, ultimately, Nirvana, signified by the Pagoda ahead. Thus, considering its meanings, Thorana Gateway is a gate through which very few can pass.

Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda

Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda or Little Buddha Gaya represents the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment, a signature attraction of the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness. It was constructed to commemorate King Rama IX’s Diamond Jubilee in 2006. (The construction initiative began in 1999.)

Made up of multiple floors, Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda replicates nearly every detail of the original one in Bodh Gaya India--but with a few notable differences.
First, whereas as the original in India is fifty-six meters tall, the replicated pagoda here is twenty-eight meters high. Its height corresponds to the total number of Buddhas who have reached Nirvana. Second, the tip of the pagoda at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness is made of bronze to reflect the historical shape, material, and design of the authentic one in India. The tip of the original pagoda in Bodh Gaya has now been changed to gold. Finally, the small statues decorating the exterior of the Pagoda at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness reflect a unique integration of Thai and Indian art; they don’t seem exactly Thai or Indian, making them distinct.
The first floor of Sri Maharaj Pagoda features a replica of Phra Buddha Metta Santipap (the Buddha of Mercy and Peace), the principal Buddha inside Buddha Gaya Pagoda in India. The replicated statue here retains all traits of the original, except for its size, composition, color, and figures at the base.
The second floor features Phra Sri Ariya Maettrai Sakayasingh (Maitreya), Buddha of the future. He will emerge after the age of the current Buddha comes to an end. This floor opens out to a scenic 360 degree terrace, where you can see beautiful fields and forest from the second highest point of Bodhisattva Mountain.

Perimeter of Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda

The perimeter of the entrance to the Pagoda features delicate statues of gold Buddhas and white stuccoes of various flowers and animals. They reflect a creative mixture of Indian and Thai artistry, so although the Pagoda is a replication of the original in India, it also shows Thai characteristics. Of note is the Invincible, Evil-Defeating Buddha affixed to the back exterior of Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda facing three bodhi trees, which were grown from the seeds of the tree in India, where the Buddha gained enlightenment.