seven years in Thailand...

"We live in illusion and the appearance of things. There is a reality. We are that reality. When you understand this, you see that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all.".- buddhism proverb

Welcome to Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan Temple...please remove your shoes

This temple is situated on the west bank of the Bang Pakong River, 2 Kms. south of the city hall. Enshrined in a new gigantic hall is Phra Phutthasothon, or "Luang Pho Sothon" regarded as one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. The image, in the attitude of meditation, measuring 1.65 metres wide at the lap and 1.98 metres high, is always seen entirely pasted with gold leaves by worshipers. Two annual fairs celebrating the image fall in the 5th and the 12th lunar months (around April and November).

The new tall ubosoth of Sothorn Wararam Waravihan temple never fails to attract the attention of visitors. After 15 years in construction, the graceful and huge ubosoth is nearly complete. It mirrors the strong faith of the local people in Buddhism. The peak is 84 metres high. It is decorated with five golden umbrellas weighing a total of 77 kilogrammes. This is probably the world's largest ubosoth.

Worshippers come from far around to pay homage to Luang Pho Sathorn and a large group of 20 other Buddha images. Thai dancers are on hand every day to perform for a small donation

According to legend, Luang Pho Sothon, floated down the Bang Pakong River to the site of the temple. Efforts to retrieve it were unsuccessful until a villager had a small shrine erected on the site and performed a ceremony welcoming the image to the community.

"He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” Lao Tzu... see you in my next chapter discovering Thailand...