Lost in Bangkok’s urban sprawl is a place to find solace at Wat Bang Phudonok. It offers a serene escape. Wat Bang Phudonok is more than just a temple. It is a testament to Thailand’s rich Buddhist heritage.
Imagine farmers traveling to trade. They needed to transport crops to market in Nakhon Chaisi. Luang Phor Pern built a bridge over the adjacent river. This made it easier for them. He used temple donations. Luang Phor Pern also constructed the local public hospital. Today it bears his name.
Wat Bang Phudonok is a station. You can get there by metro, bus or ferry. The bus 1107 stops nearby. The PINK metro line stops nearby too. The ferry is also an option.
In Thailand there are over 44000 Buddhist temples. Wat Bang Phudonok is one of them. Many temples have received official recognition. They are legitimate.
The temple provides a serene place for worship. It is a spiritual anchor. Wat Bang Phudonok stands as a symbol of devotion.
Wat Bang Phra translates to Monastery of the Riverbank Buddha Image. It is located in Nakhon Pathom Province. This province lies about 50 km west of Bangkok. It is a reference to a revered Buddha image. This image was recovered from a boat. The boat sank in the Nakhon Chaisi River. This happened where the monastery was founded.
Wat Bang Phra dates to the late 18th century. This was just before the second fall of Ayutthaya. A small ordination chapel remains. Inside there are two Buddha images. They are Luang Pho Sit Chaiyamongkon and Luang Pho Kai Sitmongkhon. Legend says they were being transported downriver. They came from Ayutthaya. They aimed to save them from Burmese troops. The boat capsized. The images were pulled from the river later. They were kept in the monastery. This monastery became known as Wat Bang Phra.
The murals inside the ordination hall are special. They showcase craftsmanship. They come from the reigns of Kings Rama III and Rama IV. Luang Phor Pern was a famous meditation monk. He was well known for his mastery of protective sak yant. These are sacred Thai tattoos.
Luang Phor Pern became a monk at Wat Bang Phra at 25. He studied with Luang Pu Him Inthasoto. Luang Pu Him was an accomplished sak yant master. Luang Phor Pern had never been tattooed. He took up the sacred art. He carried on the tradition. This was after Luang Pu Him died.
Luang Phor Pern offered katha and sak yant to protect villagers. He taught them that tiger yantras could fend off attacks. No one who received the monk’s protection was ever attacked. Luang Phor Pern gained a powerful reputation. He was a master of incantations and tattoos.
Wat Bang Phra is also known for daily tattoos. The monks give Sak Yants. The Wai Khru festival is held on the temple grounds. This is once a year in March. Disciples gather to pay respect to Luang Pho Poen. The power of tattoos decreases over time. Sak Yant masters celebrate with their disciples. They honor them and bless their tattoos. They re-empower them.