My last post was a photo round-up of the Wat Rong Khun aka The White Temple. The White Temple is a buddhist and Hindu temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The temple was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, construction started in 1997 and continues today. The site of Wat Rong Khun will consist of nine buildings when finished: the ubosot (a chapel), the hall containing Lord Buddha’s relics, the hall containing Buddha images, the preaching hall, the contemplation hall, the monk’s cell, the door facade of the Buddhavasa, the art gallery, and the toilets.
This temple is called the White Temple because every thing on the outside is white and mirrors. The white contrast very nicely with the green grass making the site very unique. The white stands for Lord Buddha’s purity and the white glass stands for Lord Buddha’s wisdom that “shines brightly all over the Earth and the Universe.” Even the pond has white Koi. As you enter the site you must cross a bridge. This bridge represents being reborn into the Temple of Buddha.
The moat area under the bridge has a pool of hand reaching up to grab your soul. It feels very surreal walking across the bridge knowing the hands are not real but in the back of your mind is the thought that they might just reach out and grab you. Do you see the red nail and the skulls?
Inside the ubosot are brightly painted walls. Being a Wat photos were not allowed inside the temple (but I found a few online, shhh). This adds to the reasons to visit this site. Mr. Kositpipat has a very vivid imagination. Images of the Predator from the movie Aliens vs Predator, Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Neo from the Matrix, rocket ships, the Twin Towers being attacked, Nemo and Dora, even Jack Sparrow. One of the walls was being painted while we visited, it was interesting to see teh scaffolding and the artists working while monks prayed in the same space.
massimoperrozzi23' via flickr
Kurt van Aert via flickr
On the outside of the temple are four animals. The elephant stands for the earth; the naga stands for water; the swan’s wings represent wind; and the lion’s mane represents fire. There is so much detail on every building it is really a work of art.
Currently the Wat is still being worked on. Chalermchai Kositpipat wishes to expand the site as a tourist site and a dedication to his beloved Buddha for Thai residents.
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