Wat Suan Dok ‘Full-fill your eyesight with a Langa Chedi’
Antiques aren’t easy to find, due to their ages. Antiques have been used and built by people from centuries ago. As time went by, they became older, rugger or even wrecked. Not so much of them have been maintained.
This is as same as Wat Suan Dok, a historic temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Wat Suan Dok is also known as ‘Wat Buppha Ram’. The word ‘Buppha Ram’ is from Pali, which means ‘a flower garden’. And ‘a flower garden’, in Thai language is ‘suan dok mai’. Centuries ago, Buddha’s relics has been transported into Wat Suan Dok to be stored. Wat Suan Dok was once a flower garden. But after Buddha’s relics has arrived, it has been changed into a temple instead. And these are where the name ‘Wat Suan Dok’ came from.
Wat Suan Dok is about 600 years old. It is an enourmous place. You can walk around for hours. There are many valuable sacred places within the area, including a big Langa Chedi, which is the storage of Buddha’s relics and has been perfectly maintained. On top of that, this Chedi has also been registered as an ancient remains. You can call it the hightlight of the temple, because most tourists who go to the temple never miss their chances of paying respect to the Chedi.
In another way, Wat Suan Dok is one of the respectable temples of Chiang Mai.
The color tone of the temple may not be too sparkling like many others, but for the value of ancient materials, it’s been second to none. It may not look so outstanding, but tourists still love it anyway and it contains of many historic stories.
You don’t want to forget your camera at home, if you plan to go to Suan Dok temple. This means, the temple is peaceful and naturally beautiful. You absolutely want to take at least a few shots of the temple to keep it in your memory forever.
Due to its width, you probably don’t know where to start. So, here are interesting spots within the temple area. Go visit them all!
- The Langa Chedi : The location of Buddha’s relics covered with golden sheets.
- Mortuary Urns : There are mortuary urns in the temple. These urns have been used to keep the relics of many important people in the past, for instances, Dara Rasmi…who was a princess of Chiangmai and the wife of King Rama 5, various rulers of Chiangmai and Khruba Siwichai
- The Grand Vihara : The grand vihara of Wat Suan Dok consists of no walls, but it is surrounded with terraces instead. This make it looks different from viharas of other temples. You will feel fresh as soon as you enter this vihara. The atmosphere is clean and clear. The air flows all the time. You won’t feel stuffy or hot at all. Inside, there are several Lord Buddha’s statues, including the principle one ‘Phra Buddha Pathimakaking’.
- Phra Chao Kao Tue : Phra Chao Kao Tue, the Lord Buddha’s principle statue within the ubosot of Wat Suan Dok, is highly respected and believed to be very holy by people in Chiangmai. The statue was built with heavy metal. Therefore, don’t forget to pay your respect to the statue before you leave the temple. At least, this should give you a good fortune.
- Monk Chat and Meditation Retreat : Travelling in the north of Thailand is not only an opportunity to absorb the richness and rewards of its natural beauty but also to experience its lush cultural heritage and spiritual progression within the Thai Buddhist framework.
For further details, you may contact the website www.watsuandok.com.
Monk Chat and Meditation Retreat
MCU. Buddhist University, Chiang Mai Campus, welcomes all to visit the warm programme “MONK CHAT”; informally talk with the monk. You would get to know about monk’s life, Thai culture and Tradition, Buddhism, etc. Besides, we provide you with the MEDITATION RETREAT WORKSHOP (Concentration Meditation and Vipassana Meditation) which is the way to make the mind peaceful, and to develop transcendent insight which penetrates into the truth of life.
The Purpose of Vipassana Meditation
Healing, both emotionally and physically, is the purpose of vipassana. The causes of suffering that come from within must be removed for healing to happen. The mind becomes purified with acceptance of what is.
There are no judgments or opinions as focus is placed on the present moment. Happiness and contentment are achieved as moods and external experiences have no effect. This is the essence of vipassana.
“Monk Chat” • Monday-Friday From 05.00p.m. – 07.00p.m.
“Meditation Retreat” • From Tuesday to Wednesday (weekly)
*For private group please contact office.
How to get there
Wat Suan Dok is located on Ta Pae Road, Muang County, Chiang Mai Province.
The quickest way to go is to grab a red truck and tell the driver that you want to go to Wat Suan Dok. If you start your trip within Chiang Mai downtown, the travel fee is about 20 Baht or a little bit more. It won’t be expensive. Don’t worry.
Nimman Walking Street
Nearby Places
The place that you don’t want to miss most. Enjoy your day with shopping and eating among various vendor booths. Those booths sell foods, costumes, traditional goods and lots more. Sometimes there are even dancing or music shows. If you want some leisure times with your friends and family, don’t hesitate to go! But remember, this place is available only on Sunday, from 18:00-22:00.
Wat Umong or “Tunnel temple” is unique because of its location in the forest and its system of tunnels. The serene and peaceful atmosphere at the 13th century forest temple near Doi Suthep mountain provides a welcome change from the much visited sites in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Zoo is one of the most underrated places in Chiang Mai. This zoo is really top maintained, everything clean and good in shot! You are soo close to the animals as in any other zoo we have ever been. The whole area is very good for families and the kids will find enough things to marvel and play.
Nimmanhaemin walking street is an area largely devoted to bars, cafes, restaurants and guesthouses. Nimmanhaemin Road itself is extremely busy and getting there on the Super Highway can be a slow process as three lanes merge into one at traffic lights. Finding a park might be a challenge too. However once you have arrived there is certainly a huge selection of places to spend time eating, drinking and shopping.
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