Wat Rong Khun the unique Buddhist temple art
Wat Rong Khun, often known as “the White Temple” is likely one of the most gorgeous temples in Thailand.
Wat Rong Khun is a sight in Chiang Rai, and must place for both foreign tourists and local people. Wat Rong Khun ( White Temple) is located about 13 km south of Chiang Rai is the bizarre and popular. Whereas most temples have centuries of historical past, this one’s building started in 1997 by famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
The man behind the Temple is famous Thai artist Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat who need to make a modern Temple honoring Buddhism through his contemporary style. He bought a 3 acre lot, which already had a much older Temple on it, and quickly transformed it into a 9 acre complex. When fully completed he will have a total of 9 buildings, but it is still supposed to take over 100 years to finish. The artist currently has crew of workers and a direct understudy, but wants to have two consecutive classes of students working on the complex as he believes it may take up to 90 years after his death to finish. When the Rong Khun Temple is finally complete it will show one man’s dedication to his religion and his country.
The artist Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat
What to See at Wat Rong Khun
Every detail of Rong Khun Temple carries meaning and encourages visitors to reflect on the Buddhist teachings that guide the way to escape from worldly temptations, desires, and greed, focusing on the mind instead. Wat Rong Khun consists of nine buildings with distinct architectural styles, symbolizing the grandeur of a heavenly city. Each building is intricately designed with hidden moral meanings, capturing the essence of Buddhist teachings.
Grounds of Wat Rong Khun
The temple and its grounds are surprisingly contemporary, focusing on fictional elements of our materialistic world. From parking cones capped with skulls, to creatures from the movie Predator climbing out of the ground, you’ll be busy snapping photos left and right. Between photos make sure to take in the great message and symbolism of the White Temple. Playful signage warns you about the temptations of smoking or drinking while hanging shrunken heads show you people that have given in too often.
As visitors approach the main chapel, they pass through a pathway guarded by statues and surrounded by a sea of outstretched hands. These hands represent unrestrained desire and suffering in hell, symbolizing the human struggle with temptation and sin. The intimidating statues and eerie atmosphere serve as a reminder of the consequences of succumbing to worldly desires. This journey signifies the path from hell to enlightenment, encouraging visitors to reflect on their own spiritual journey.
Before crossing the bridge of the “Cycle of Rebirth”. In front of the bridge is a circular area with hundreds of beseeching hands representing suffering souls in hell.
Kinnaree, a creature from Buddhist mythology, half human, half bird
The bridge of “the cycle of rebirth”
The bridge towards the ubosot, known as the bridge of “the cycle of rebirth,” signifies the crossing over from the cycle of death and rebirth into a state free of suffering. It symbolizes the way to happiness by overcoming worldly things such as temptations, greed, and desire. Next to the lake stand two very elegant Kinnaree, creatures from Buddhist mythology that are half-human and half-bird. This bridge, crossing a serene pond filled with white fish, represents the transition from the earthly realm to heaven. The clear and reflective pond symbolizes the purity and clarity of mind needed to reach enlightenment. The bridge itself is adorned with intricate details and mythological creatures, illustrating the challenges and obstacles one must overcome to attain spiritual awakening. This crossing represents the river separating the mundane from the divine, guiding visitors towards the ultimate goal of Nirvana.
The “Gate of Heaven”
After crossing the bridge, visitors arrive at the “Gate of Heaven,” guarded by two huge creatures representing Death and Rahu, who decide men’s fate. At the end of the bridge, in front of the ubosot, are several Buddha images in meditation. The inner sanctum of the temple, known as the ubosot, features vibrant and contemporary murals that blend traditional Buddhist themes with modern cultural icons like superheroes and space travelers. These murals depict the journey towards enlightenment, emphasizing the timeless relevance of Buddha’s teachings. The juxtaposition of ancient wisdom and contemporary imagery creates a unique and engaging experience for visitors, highlighting the universal applicability of Buddhist principles. The main hall’s design, with its elaborate decorations and symbolic artwork, serves as a sanctuary for meditation and spiritual reflection.
The ubosot
The most important building of the Wat Rong Khun, the ubosot is an all white building with fragments of reflective glass in the plaster. The very ornate ubosot shows some design elements of classic Northern Thai temples like the three tiered roof and stylized Naga serpents on the bargeboards.
The artist wanted it to be like a house of the Buddha with white color representing His purity and white glass representing His wisdom shining all over the earth and the universe.
Mural
The mural in the hall is only partially completed. This mural is quite interesting, combining traditional Buddhist motifs with modern themes complete with monsters and images like the A burning twin towers of September 11, Keanu Reeves from The Matrix, figures from Star Wars and spaceships. Amongst the chaos on the walls, the Buddha sits serenely in the middle of the hall.
The front wall of the monastery is dedicated to a painting of Buddha images seem to be floating on a lotus pedestal, set against elaborately painted murals in various hues of gold and other colours.
Other side wall of the monastery is dedicated to a painting of a red demon with George Bush in one eye, and Osama Bin Laden in each or the eyes of the mural’s large devil figure. Inside the mouth of the demon is a scene depicting the fall of the Twin Towers, many of super hero and demons like Neo from The Matrix, Freddie Krueger, Darth Vader, theTransformers, Hulk, Batman, the Joker and etc.
The artist doesn’t want to say that who was wrong but it proposes that both of these had more power and a war was happened that resulted was a large number of people died. And it was presented that although there’re many heroes but they cannot help it. Because in the world has not a hero in fact. And humans have a passion and desires but there are people who can get be free from a devil which you can see from the painting of a persons who sitting in a lotus that releasing from the eyes, nose and mouth of an evil and soaring to the Buddha. It means, if you need this world is possible to be in peace, you should get the teaching of your religion (Not only Buddhism, every religions have good teaching) to use in your life.
The golden building
A structure that stands out because of its color is the rest rooms building. Another very ornately decorated structure, this golden building represents the body, whereas the white ubosot represents the mind. The gold symbolizes how people focus on worldly desires and money. The golden building represents the idea to make merit and to focus on the mind, instead of material things and possession.
art gallery not allowed to take picture
Art Gallery
Art Gallery displaying Ajarn recent works which are also for sale.
The gallery is opened from Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. / Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Opening hours: Wat Rong Khun is open daily from 08.00-18.00. Entrance is free, but donations are welcome.
** Donations are welcome but should not exceed B10,000 as Chalermchai doesn’t want to be under the influence of big donors, even though he’s spent more than B40 million of his own cash.
Shops and Restaurants in Wat Rong Khun
There are numerous coffee shops, snack and souvenir stalls and tea vendors in a small arcade closely and next to the car-park.
How to get to the Wat Rong Khun
From Chiang Rai :
The Wat Rong Khun is located just off Highway 1 (Phahonyothin road) about 15 kilometers South West of Chiang Rai town. The most comfortable way to get there is by private air conditioned taxi. The ride from town takes about 20 minutes, the fare is between 250 and 300 Baht. Most Chiang Rai hotels will be able to book one.
It is fairly easy to get to the white temple using public transport. Busses leave from the old bus station near the night bazaar in the center of Chiang Rai town. The trip takes around 30 minutes, fare is 20 Baht one way. Alternatively, charter a blue songthaew at the old bus station at about 300 Baht.
From Chiang Mai :
The easiest way to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is by bus. And the most convenient bus is the Green Bus, which runs from Arcade Bus Station. This is located at the far end of Kaeo Narawat Road, near where it joins the superhighway. To get to the bus station, just jump on a songthaew, which should cost around 50 baht per person from central Chiang Mai. The VIP bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai costs 288 baht for a single journey. There aren’t any trains running between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
There are two bus station in Chiang Rai – a new station on the outskirts of town, and the old station in th
The most comfortable way to get there you can contact Travel Agency in Chiang Mai, they can provide a private car with air condition for your group or budget tour to Chiang Rai combine with this temple and important place in Chianr Rai for one day.
Note : Wheelchair Accessible in Wat Rong Khun
Nearby Places
Singha Park is a popular place for most tourists who visit Chiangrai. The place is billions square metres large. It has been being open for less than a decade.
Therefore, there is a landmark of Chiang Rai that you should never ignore when you arrive at the province. The landmark here means ‘King Mangrai Monument’
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