Wat Phra That Phanom

Wat Phra That Phanom is a temple in the That Phanom District in the southern part of Nakhon Phanom Province, northeastern Thailand. According to legend, the temple contains the Buddha's breast bone, and as such, it is one of the most important Theravada Buddhist structures in the region. It was originally built in the 16th century by the Laotian King Setthathirath of Lan Xang.[1] Each year, a festival is held at That Phanom to honor the temple. The week-long festival attracts thousands of people who make pilgrimages to honor the shrine.

Wat Phra That Phanom
Painting of proverb at the temple, "Flee the tiger and find a crocodile."

According to a Fine Arts Department marker on the site, it fell down in 1975, but was rebuilt with funds raised by public subscription, and from the government.

In Thai folk Buddhism, Wat Phra That Phanom is a popular pilgrimage destination for those born in the year of the Monkey.

The temple contains a number of paintings illustrating traditional Thai proverbs.

See also

References

  1. Pruess, James (1976). The That Phanom Chronicle: A Shrine History and Its Interpretation. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University.


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