Tuesday 13 January 2015  Five Temple Journey Part 2: Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong

We headed west and a little south to the Chom Thong District of Chiang Mai Province for about 85 minutes. Most of the land between Lamphun and Chom Thong is farmland, with homes and other businesses along the road. Just like in the U.S., a slow vehicle can jam things a  bit by not pulling over to let faster vehicles pass. Being a farming area, there were more than a few slow-moving farm-related vehicles.

Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong is another important temple, set in what is really a small town almost in the middle of farmland, but what appears to be where businesses sprung up at the crossing of two highways. This is an important temple because, according to legend, the Buddha once visited the hill where the temple now stands. The temple was built in the 15th century to enshrine the Buddha relic that was found here, thus the prefix Phra That in the temple name; Phra That in the name means that a relic of the Buddha is enshrined at the temple. That rule, like many, is not completely consistent. While Wat Phra That Hariphunchai has a relic of the Buddha, Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong has a relic of the Buddha, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep has a relic of the Buddha, Wat Suan Dok has a relic of the Buddha but does not have the prefix Phra That in its name.

Most temples also have a longer name. For example, Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong is formally named Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong Worawihan. Wat Suan Dok’s name was Wat Buppharam Dok Mai, but still no “Phra That” in the name. 

But here we are at Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong. Because the entrance is at the west, the first thing seen is what is usually at the back, the large chedi. This one is guarded by two large Singhas, is gold, as is the practice when a relic of the Buddha is enshrined within.

There is a large tree, appearing very, very broad, similar to the very large moreton bay fig tree near the train station in Santa Barbara. The limbs are probably not capable of supporting themselves without help, so this is a sacred or important tree, and people donate supports for the branches. They write their names and decorate the supports. All very interesting. I will have to find out what makes this tree so special, but my first guess is that because the Buddha visited this area, perhaps he sat under this tree, or maybe this tree was planted where the Buddha relic was found.

Like I have seen at many other temples, there is much construction taking place at Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong. there are three buildings under construction, and it looks like they are using quite a lot of very beautiful teak in the finishing of these buildings.

 The viharn entrance, opening to the east, is protected not only by a pair of Naga, but also by a pair of Yaks (giants). The depictions of both are very nicely done and very striking.

Inside the main viharn, the color gold is quite dominant. Many people praying in this viharn.

Further down the stairs at the eastern opening of the viharn are these Naga-woman creatures, alsmost as if the Naga has the head of a woman instead of a dragon. The Dragon is also known in Thailand as the Great Snake, so Thai people would say that I was born in the year of the Great Snake rather then the year of the Dragon. I have never seen this before, and could not find out anything about them. More to learn.

Next: Five Temple Journey Part 3: Small Local Temples