This temple is hidden in the oldest part of Bangkok and is famous for its temple grandeur, abbot and teachings. The original features have largely disappeared, but what has taken their place is a modern and grand structure that leaves people in awe. I went there to visit this beautiful and peaceful temple, and it was an amazing experience!
History
The Wat Paknam temple was built around 1610 during the kingdom of Ayutthaya. The temple was discovered by Master Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro, who became abbot there in 1916 during the reign of King Rama VI. Through extraordinary leadership and planning, he turned the temple around. He allowed nuns to practice Buddhism, established a free elementary school, increased the number of monks to hundreds, established a school of Buddhist studies, and much more. He was the founder of the Dhammakaya meditation teachings that led to the establishment of Wat Dhammakaya in 1970. The Dhammakaya meditations were his central goal, and he turned the temple into a meditation center that attracted people from far and wide, including monks of high standing from Japan and China. His influence is so lasting that his teachings are still passed on by Japanese Shingon Buddhists who practiced at the temple.
Thanks to the solid foundations laid by Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro, Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen (or Phasi Charoen) grew into a prosperous temple, supported by many of its wealthy followers and community. The followers of Wat Paknam are attracted by the temple’s reputation for charity. The temple is also popular among the nuns (Mae Chi).
Stupa
In 2012, they completed the construction of a large ‘stupa’ which brought them global attention. This ‘stupa’ stands as a large white pagoda next to the seated Buddha statue. The construction of this ‘stupa’ took 9 years and cost 300 million bath. Okay, now the active part of this blog: say the name of this ‘stupa’ out loud 3 times: Phra Maha Chedi Maha Ratchamongkol. The architecture of the structure comes from the ancient Lanna style from the ‘North’ and the current Rattanakosin prang-like art from the ‘Central Region’.
The structure has five floors. The second floor is a museum with general items such as antique maps owned by the abbot. The 2nd floor is a prayer and meditation hall. The 3rd floor displays personal collections of the current abbot, Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn or Somdej Chuang. On the 4th is a life-size statue of Luang Po Sod, made of gold. On the 5th floor you can worship Buddha relics housed in an elegant green glass “pagoda” 8 meters high.
Buddha statue
I sat in front of the statue of Buddha, Phra Phuttha Dhammakaya Thepmongkol is the name, for half an hour and it is such a soothing location. His face and position are very soothing, I know I sound very floaty now, but it’s a very distinct feeling when you sit there. It feels like he is looking at you. The statue is 69 meters high and 40 meters wide. It looks like the Buddha is made of gold, but he is made of pure bronze. The construction of Buddha started in 2017 and the project cost 100 million baht (2.6 million euros). Do you remember the abbot Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro? The project of this Buddha statue was started following a dream of this late highly respected abbot.
Transportation
You can reach this temple via the BTS Skytrain across the Chao Phraya River and get off at Wutthakat station. From there you can take a cab or motorcycle cab. An alternative option is to leave the Skytrain at Talat Phlu station and take a small tour of the community before arriving at the giant Buddha statue.
