The White Temple in Thailand is a masterpiece of art created by human hands. The elegant and majestic White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Thailand is an unusual complex. People don't come here to pray, there are no monks here. The temple embodies the versatility of the modern world in its values.

It is located a few kilometers from the city of Chiang Rai, so if you find yourself nearby, be sure to visit this attraction.

How to get there

Many tourists wonder how to get to the White Temple in Thailand by public transport or by car. This can be done in several ways:
Taxi ordering – The local taxi driver knows the location of the temple. The journey will take 20 minutes, payment – ​​300 baht.
By bus – many buses ply along the route. The journey takes 30 minutes, the fare is 20 baht.
By minibus – travel time 30 minutes, fare 30 baht.

Minibuses and buses depart from the bus station located near the night market.
Temple opening hours
During the high tourist season (November-February), the temple is open from 7:00 to 18:00. In other months from 7:00 to 17:00

History of the temple

There are many Buddhist temples throughout Thailand. Each of them is capable of introducing tourists to the history of the region and getting to know the culture and life of the local people better. But times are changing, and it is difficult for the current generation to understand the true meaning of Buddhism, the basis, by visiting ancient temple complexes.

Modern man needs to clearly demonstrate the true message of Buddhism.
This idea arose in the mind of the millionaire Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. the idea was to build a new temple that could convey the main ideas of Buddhism.

Not far from the artist’s hometown was the Wat Rong Khun temple. The complex was in a deplorable state, so it was decided to reconstruct it and create a new temple.
Construction began in 1997. The work was carried out at the personal expense of the architect.

A group of craftsmen have been working for two decades and the work is still not finished. It requires money to complete, and the Thai government is not providing funds. Therefore, the construction is carried out at the expense of the proceeds from the sale of souvenir symbols, donations, as well as the financing of Chalermchai Kositpipat.

Temple symbolism

There is nothing superfluous in the temple; every detail is created with intent and carries a sign. The artist, with his plan, wanted to show people the true path to Buddha, which he expressed through various shapes and details.

Everything has been created here in order to concentrate a person’s attention on ordinary things that Everyday life have a different meaning. Worldly temptations fade before a person’s consciousness and soul.

Symbolism of color

White alabaster was used to decorate the exterior of the temple. For a more epic look, mirror shards were superimposed on it. Therefore, when daylight, the temple shimmers with numerous rays, creating a unique spectacle.

The master wanted to show the purity of the Buddha and his worldview, as well as the superiority of spiritual components over worldly goods. The light reflecting through numerous mirror shards is a sign that every person, deep down in his soul, is capable of reflecting the kindness of other people through himself.

The temple complex is dominated by White color, as a symbol of purity. Outside there are several objects that are decorated in different color tones. They personify earthly fears and vices. The concept is that you will first see the external artistic objects that symbolize worldly life, and only then the beauty of the temple.

Thus there is a striking parallel between the consciousness of man and the Buddha. The path in truth The White Temple includes several objects that can be seen before entering the complex itself:

• Hell pit
• Gateway to Heaven

Hell pit- the composition represents a hole on both sides of the road, from which hundreds of hands stick out. This is a kind of symbol of desires and passion; according to the Buddhist concept, walking along the road is overcoming worldly sins and the beginning of the path to happiness. Several hands hold special cast iron pots; you need to throw coins into them to cleanse yourself of sins before starting a new stage in life.

Bridge- a symbol of the transition to a free life without suffering. The third truth of Buddhism is that this can be achieved by completely renouncing desires.

After this you will find yourself in front of Gateway to heaven. The entrance is guarded by two sculptures. On the left side there is a statue of Raha; according to Buddhist teachings, the fate of a person is in its power. On the right side there is a statue of Death - in her hands is a person’s life.

Interior of the temple

The exterior is made in traditional styles of Buddhist architecture. Works in interior spaces not completed. It seems that the master deliberately left this part of the temple unfinished in order to wait for a miracle, a special sign from above and complete the work.

The walls are painted in golden tones. One of the main features of the interior design is the image of a golden flame. In the central part there is an altar of Buddha. On each of the four walls of the temple there are animals depicted as a symbol of the four elements:

• Elephant- Earth
• Swan wings- air
• Lion's mane- fire
• Naga– water

The main components of the entire temple are two statues of Buddha and his image. Not far from them on the wall you can see various scenes; they personify the endless struggle of evil with good.

The artist took scenes from modern life as a basis. Here you can see an image of Batman, the heroes of the film " star Wars", "The Matrix", etc. all modern heroes are interpreted in the style of Buddhism. On the other wall are depicted scenes of the destruction of our planet through global catastrophes.

Golden House

After visiting the temple, you can visit the Golden House. It is located on the opposite side of the White Temple. The complex personifies worldly life. The main feature of the temple is the “Golden Toilet”.

The Golden House is a contrast to the White Temple. The color was not chosen by chance; it gives visitors the opportunity to see a bright transition between the bustle ordinary life and pure consciousness. Indeed, in the modern world, money pushes into the background the most important values ​​in life.

Pond

The White Temple is surrounded by a picturesque pond. It is home to several dozen different fish. Visitors are allowed to feed the inhabitants of the pond with special food.

A park

After a walk along the pond, you can head to the local park. On its territory there are benches, gazebos, and numerous trees that will allow you to study the sculptures without exhausting yourself from the heat.

Infrastructure

After an exciting walk, you can visit the cafe and taste local cuisine or order soft drinks. Before you leave, be sure to stop by the gift shop.

The White Temple is not only a perfect combination of science fiction, Thai architecture and Buddhism, but also a striking example that makes it clear that in the bustle of days, one should not forget about the simplest and most important things.

The most famous temples in Thailand

There are many temples in Thailand, and they are all different, interesting and worthy of your attention. Of course, there are very small and unremarkable ones, but those that I will tell you about today are certainly worth seeing them with your own eyes, because they are the calling card of the kingdom.

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

One of the most beautiful and famous temples in Thailand. Located in the north of the country, near the city of Chiang Rai. Recently, in 2014, the temple was damaged quite badly during an earthquake. The White Temple was not built entirely according to Buddhist canons and is designed more for tourists than for local residents. The building is very young (construction began in 1997), however, it is very interesting. The temple is completely painted white, which symbolizes the purity of the Buddha, and the mosaics on the walls sparkle during the day so that this shine is visible from afar.

On the temple grounds you can see sculptures that depict scenes from Buddhist hell. This topic is very popular in Thailand. Inside the White Temple on the frescoes you will see images of modern artists and other cultural figures who also depict something. There is also a mention of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. On the roof there are sculptures of animals symbolizing the 4 elements - fire, earth, air and water.

When you come to Thailand, try to visit this temple if possible, it is very impressive!

Temple of Truth

The Wooden Temple of Truth is located in Pattaya. There is a legend among tourists that this temple was built without single nail. In fact, nails, of course, are actively used in its construction. Be sure to visit this place! The temple is impressive with its size (105 meters in height), skillfully carved frescoes, and the time during which it was built - more than thirty years. They started building it back in 1981. According to legend, the person who started building it could not die until he finished building the temple. Of course, he is no longer alive, but his business lives on and is still being built!

Despite active construction works, excursions to the temple are conducted constantly. Upon entry, all guests are required to be given white helmets. Visitors from Cambodia, Laos, and Burma work here. As we understand, for a symbolic reward, since it is already a great honor to take part in the construction of this temple. Basically, masters come here to practice, so to speak.

Look how many figures there are, large and small, carved exclusively from wood! How neat and clear their lines are. The temple has 3 floors, symbolizing our world. The first floor is the earthly world. The second floor is the world of those who have reached nirvana. The third floor is heaven. You can’t go up there, but the men from our group decided to take a look anyway. We didn’t have time to see what paradise looks like, but the guide arrived on time.

The price for visiting the Temple of Truth is 500 baht. Perhaps the price has already gone up. But I think it's worth it! Very a nice place and the guide's story is very interesting. And before the excursion you will also be shown traditional Thai dances.

Temple of Hell and Heaven

The Temple of Hell and Paradise is such a unique structure that, it seems to me, it has no analogues in the world. Located approximately 30 kilometers from Pattaya. Entrance costs 200 baht. The large territory of the temple complex has several dozen figures that depict what awaits you in hell for various crimes. I must say really impressive!

In addition to the well-known sins, there is an “article” for knackering, gender reassignment, slander, etc. The sculptures are very expressive, so there’s no point in telling too much, you have to see it! This is about hell.

Paradise is probably the Buddhist temples built right there. Here you can offer prayers to Buddha and for 10 baht you can release a bird by making a wish.

Tiger cave temple, Wat Tam Sua

Popularly it is simply a tiger temple. Located in Krabi province. A place of pilgrimage for Thais, but Lately there are a lot of tourists here. We highly recommend it, as the place is not only interesting, but also unique! The whole point is that in order to see the large Buddha statue, you will have to climb 1370 steps up. It is very difficult! Southeast Asia loves steps, and the higher the Buddha sits, the better. Apparently, they seem to be saying that becoming closer to the Buddha is not easy, and on this path one must overcome certain trials.

My husband somehow persuaded me to get up. The entire climb to the top took us about 1.5 hours. To my great happiness, there were benches and free cold water! Along the way you will meet completely non-aggressive monkeys, but it’s still better to keep an eye on things! We went back down faster - only 30 minutes. But then, of course, my legs almost didn’t obey me; it was necessary to make enormous efforts to go with my legs where I wanted.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the most famous temple in Thailand. Located in Bangkok, right next to the royal palace, where hundreds of tourists and dozens of locals come every day. The Emerald Buddha is because his statue is made of pure jade and has been there since the founding of the temple in 1784. Unfortunately, photography inside is strictly prohibited, so we cannot present you with photographs of this miracle! Perhaps you will visit this temple yourself and see everything with your own eyes.

According to legend, as long as the statue of the emerald Buddha is in Thailand, the country is not threatened by any war. In order to enter this temple, you need to dress decently. At the entrance, everyone is given a free skirt; shoulders must be covered.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

It is also located not far from the royal palace, and there are also crowds of tourists here every day. In this temple, a 46-meter tall statue of a reclining Buddha lies in honor. I can’t tell you anything more remarkable; the guide will do it better. On the territory of the temple there is a school of Thai massage, where anyone can either receive a massage or learn massage with the subsequent issuance of a certificate. Massage is not included in the ticket price!!!

see also

In Thailand, which is a Buddhist country, temples play a very important role in everyday life for Thai people. People go to temple for merit, donate to Buddha for things like good health, luck and wealth, and also seek advice from monks. It is customary for men in Thailand to become monks, regardless of social status and age, and live in a temple for some time; some become monks for a short time, some for longer.

It is believed that Buddhism was introduced to Thailand about 2,200 years ago when the Emperor of India, Ashoka the Great, sent monks to a large number of countries including Thailand to spread Buddhism. Currently, the vast majority of Thai people are Buddhists.

Although in Thailand the temple is called "Wat", which means temple, the term refers to a temple complex consisting of various buildings such as the Ubosot (ordination hall), the Viharn where important images of Buddha are kept, and the Chedi where Buddhist relics are kept.

There are literally tens of thousands of Buddhist temples in Thailand, most of which are active. More than 200 have received the status of Royal Temple, which are divided according to importance into first, second and third class. The most important and sacred temple in Thailand is Wat Phra Kaew, located within the Grand Royal Palace in Bangkok. This temple houses an emerald Buddha statue - the most sacred and revered Buddha image in Thailand. In the photo below you can see the inscription Royal Temple, which means Royal Temple.

Some of the most important and most famous temples are located in the capital, such as (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), (Temple of Dawn), Wat Mahathat and Wat Suthat.
Outside Bangkok, Wat Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom and Wat Phra Phuthabat (Buddha's Footprint Temple) in Saraburi Province are temples of the highest importance. These six temples have top class Royal temples of the first class.

Apart from their great spiritual and social significance, Thai temples are some of the most beautiful and impressive architectural structures to be found in the world. Temples of many different architectural styles can be seen in Thailand: the Lanna temples of Northern Thailand are very different from the Rattanakosin temples in Bangkok or the Khmer style temples of Northeastern Thailand.

Thai temples are beautiful, richly decorated and have very colorful buildings different sizes and architectural styles. Inside the Thai temple you will find very large and small Buddha images and magnificent wall paintings with stories about the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Indian epic Ramayana, or from the Jataka, stories about the past lives of the Buddha.

Since temples are sacred places that hold great significance for the Thai people, you should dress appropriately when visiting a temple, meaning you should cover your shoulders and knees and be sure to take off your shoes. All temples (Watas) in Thailand have a Bot or Ubosot - these are the main prayer rooms and one of the most important structures of the Wat. These rooms are usually located in a rectangular building with the main entrance facing east and the room contains a seated image of Buddha on a richly decorated pedestal.

In the photo below is a statue of Doctor Zhivago (in Thai his name sounds like Jiwako), who is the founder of Thai massage. He is also considered enlightened, that is, Buddha.

In addition, the temples also have a Viharn - this is the so-called assembly hall. Viharns were originally built to provide shelter for traveling monks during the rainy season. Also on the territory of temples there are always chedis, which are often called a stupa, as well as a pagoda.

Many Vatas have a Prang, which is a tower with a conical shape. The most famous Prang is located on the territory of the Wat Arun temple located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and which is one of the most famous attractions in Bangkok.

On the territory of many temples there is also a Mondop or as it is sometimes called a Mandapa - this is a cubic pavilion in which scriptures. On the territory of many temples there is also a Sala - this is an open pavilion that is used for relaxation or for shelter from the rain. Sala can also be seen outside the temples; they are usually located along the roads, where traveling people can hide from the rain and relax.

On the territory of all the Wats, there is also a Kuti - this is the home of the monks in many monasteries, they are made in the form of a bungalow in which there is a minimum of amenities, and simply a mattress or mat on the floor in the territory of some temples there are also modern ones, apartment buildings with separate rooms for monks.

Crematorium on the temple grounds.

The crematorium is located on the territory of many wats and can be identified by a high chimney; after death, relatives bring the body of the deceased to the temple, where the monks perform Buddhist rituals, which are believed to benefit the deceased. The body is then cremated within a few days, although sometimes the bodies of rich people can be kept in the temple for up to a year.

Also within the walls of some temples are columbariums, where there are urns with the ashes of the dead. This is what the wall of one of the temples looks like from the inside.

There are even empty seats.

And here is the same wall outside the temple.

And in such structures there are often urns with the ashes of monks.

Almost all the roofs of the temples are decorated with Shafa - this is a very thin structure and Shafa is a Garuda bird from Buddhist mythology.

Almost all temples also have a Dhamma wheel, which means the Wheel of Law.

In many temples there is also a statue of the Naga snake. Nagas are often found protecting Buddhist temples or the Buddha himself. The most famous Naga is Mucalinda. Having achieved enlightenment, the Buddha was meditating under the Bodhi tree when a strong storm broke out with heavy rain. Mucalinda emerged from the river and covered the Buddha with hoods from the rain.

In some temples in Thailand there are also Chinte, a creature from Buddhist mythology that resembles a lion, they are usually found at the entrance to the temple in Thailand less often, they can often be found at temples in Burma. All temples have similar towers with a bell that rings in the morning and wakes up the monks.

When in any city in a Buddhist country, I always try to visit all the temples in the city, because many of them are real works of art.

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Local residents of Thailand are very religious people, so there are a huge number of temples in the country. There are both large temple complexes and very small temples, but each of them is a work of architectural art. For many years now, the temples of Thailand have been of great interest to tourists and this is not surprising, because such beauty and grandeur cannot be seen in every country. And in this article I will talk about the 5 most popular and revered temples in Thailand, which every traveler must see.

One of the most popular and unusual temples is the White Temple in Thailand or Wat Rong Khun, as the Thais call it. This temple can easily be classified as a masterpiece of architecture, since it does not at all look like an ordinary temple, but rather like a snow castle. On the territory of the White Temple there are many figures of various creatures that have their own meaning, as well as a lake and numerous fountains. The White Temple is located in the north of Thailand, near Chiang Rai.

Construction of the White Temple in Thailand began in 1997 and is still ongoing. Its owner is the artist Chalermchayu Kositpipat, who built the temple with his own funds. The White Temple in Thailand has a sacred meaning. The building of the White Temple is a symbol of Paradise, the path to which passes through the earthly world and hell, and the bridge leading to the White Temple serves as a symbol of enlightenment.

A monk sits inside the temple, and all its walls are painted with paintings, which are a symbol of the eternal struggle between the light and dark sides. Here you will find many modern heroes from films and cartoons, as well as events that took place in real life.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

On the grounds of the Grand Royal Palace, which belongs to the royal family, is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Thailand. This temple is considered the most popular among tourists in the entire Kingdom. It is located in Bangkok. The Emerald Buddha is made of solid jade and the King of Thailand himself dresses him three times a year in clothes corresponding to a particular season. Private ceremonies are often organized in the temple. At the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Thailand, taking photographs and filming inside the building is strictly prohibited. Before coming to the temple, you should make sure that your knees and shoulders are covered.

There is a tiger temple in Krabi province. This is quite an interesting place, since the Buddha statue sits very high, and to get to it you have to go up the stairs, consisting of 1370 steps. And this is not easy at all, such a walk can take more than an hour time. Thais believe that the more steps leading to Buddha, the better. By this they want to say that the path to Buddha is not easy, in order to get to him you need to atone for your sins by overcoming obstacles. On the way up there are sometimes small monkeys, they are not aggressive at all, but it is still worth keeping an eye on things. If you are in Krabi, I recommend going to the tiger temple.

Temple of Hell and Heaven

Another unique place is the Temple of Hell and Heaven in Thailand. It is located near Pattaya in the small resort town of Bang Saen. There are a large number of sculptures here that show what awaits a person after death for certain sins. The spectacle, of course, is unpleasant, but thanks to this, many people can rethink their lives and become better. This area of ​​the temple symbolizes hell.

The heaven zone is the temple buildings, which are located on the territory of the temple of hell and heaven in Thailand. Here you can pray to Buddha and ask for forgiveness for your sins. Entrance to the temple is paid, the price is 200 baht.

Temple of Truth

And the last of the popular temples in Thailand on my list is the Temple of Truth. It is located in Pattaya. This temple is built entirely of wood, although its construction is still ongoing. Therefore, do not be surprised that during the excursion you will be given a white helmet.

You can hear from many tourists that the Temple of Truth was built without a single nail, but this is not true; of course, there are nails here. The temple has three floors and reaches a height of 105 meters. According to the founder of the temple, the 1st floor represents the earthly world, the 2nd floor represents the world of nirvana, and the 3rd floor represents paradise. They worked on the creation of the Temple of Truth the best masters on wood, the carvings of which delight. The entrance ticket to the Temple of Truth is 500 baht.

Which temples in Thailand did you like best? Write in the comments.

They call it “the land of a thousand temples.”

Temples occupy a central place in Thai architecture, which, by the way, originates from Cambodian architecture.

• Each temple here, even if it is not at all large, is a work of architectural art, which, in addition to everything else, hides deep meaning and history.

The Thai way of life is based on their basic philosophy - Buddhism, which is also the state philosophy. Therefore, most Thai temples are dedicated to Buddha and his teachings.

There are also Hindu motifs, and sometimes dedications to various great philosophers.

This is, most often, more than one building. This is a complex of buildings whose facades are directed to the east.

On the territory of temple complexes there may be buildings of a school, museum, hospital or library. Inside the temple there are one or more Buddha statues.

Monasteries- these are also vast areas with several buildings, including main temple and a crematorium.

• In the courtyard of the monasteries you can see sculptures of mythical creatures, as well as the sacred Bodhi tree, which is easily recognized by its impressive size and numerous decorations - ribbons and flower beads.

A type of building such as a stupa is also popular in Thai architecture.

The most popular temple complex in Thailand is, of course, the complex of temples on the grounds of the Grand Royal Palace in the capital, Bangkok.

• Here is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), the country's most valuable relic, as well as several other stupas and temples.

All these buildings amaze with their beauty and magnificence; it is really difficult to take your eyes off them.

Special attention deserves (Wat Rong Khun), which is located in the city of Chiang Rai and is a symbol of northern Thailand.

This is a snow-white patterned structure that makes more and more tourists fall in love with it.

Temple of Truth(Prasat Mai) in - a stunning structure carved entirely from wood and has a gallery of wooden Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on its territory.

Many talented wood carvers were involved in the construction of this temple.

An ancient temple built in the 14th century - Wat Phrahat Doi Suthep Temple- located in the northern city of Chiang Mai.

It is located at the very top of the mountain and is visible from almost all places in the city. Associated with the construction of this temple interesting legends and history.

Temple complex Wat Pho famous for the largest statue of a reclining Buddha, the size of which is simply amazing.

This complex is considered the oldest in the capital. Here are most beautiful buildings both Thai and Chinese architecture.

How to behave in temples in Thailand?

In Thailand, entrance to the temple is open to everyone, but there are some rules of decency that are worth knowing and observing.

• Visitor clothing must cover shoulders and knees. You should leave your shoes at the entrance and go inside barefoot.
• When sitting on the floor, it is better to sit facing the Buddha or the altar, and point your feet back or hide them under clothing.

You can thank the Buddha for his teachings in your own words, or by accompanying this with the “Wai” gesture, with which Thais greet each other and express gratitude and respect - the head is bowed, the hands are folded in the palms at chin level or above the head.

If you want to make an offering, you should take a kind of “offering set” nearby - a lotus flower, incense and sometimes a piece of gold leaf.

The lotus is brought to the relic, incense is lit and placed in vases, and gold leaf is usually glued to the main statue or any sacred object in the temple.

This is worth doing for those visitors who sincerely want to express their gratitude and respect for traditions.

Often in temples and monasteries, monks give their blessing to everyone.

• To express your desire, you should bow with the greeting “Vai” and kneel down in front of the monk sitting (usually on the floor). He, reciting mantras, will bless the visitor and tie a Buddhist thread on his hand.
• Having thanked the monk with the same “Vai” gesture, you should move away and give way to others who wish.

You should not touch a monk, especially women - this is due to the peculiarities of his vow, here it is worth showing understanding.

Those who are well versed in the philosophy, traditions and rituals of Buddhism are usually not prohibited from taking part in some local ceremonies and meditations.

If the visitor knows absolutely nothing about Buddhism, but is interested in this topic, then you can simply sit in the temple or take a walk on its territory and watch what is happening, not forgetting about the norms of decency.