Wat Pa Phu Kon
is situated within the area of the Na Yung-Nam Som National Forest Reserve at
Ban Na Kham Yai, Tambon Ban Kong, on the seam of 3 provinces; namely, Udon
Thani, Loei, and Nong Khai. The temple took shape out of the realisation of a
number of Buddhists in the contribution as well as benefits of the nature and
watershed forests, which were gradually being degraded; and also out of their
wish to follow the footsteps of the late King Rama IX in keeping forests
fertile. So, they sought permission to use a piece of land within the Na
Yung-Nam Som National Forest Reserve as the location to build Wat Pa Phu Kon.
Wat Pa Phu Kon is a peaceful place suitable for monks to practise meditation
and mental development. The temple's image hall, surrounding pavilions and
buildings on the hilltop are of fine Thai architectural design. The image hall
in the applied Rattanakosin art has 3 entrances and enshrines a white marble
Buddha image in the posture of entering Nibbana named "Phra Phuttha Saiyat
Lokkanat Satsada Maha Muni". The 20-metre long reclining image features
exquisite Buddha's marks and was constructed on the auspicious occasion of the
7th Cycle or 84th Birthday Anniversary of H.M. the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
in 2011. The interior of the image hall has spectacular decorations of the
Buddha's teachings, with 22 panels of copper relief around the walls depicting
the Life and Ten Birth-stories of the Lord Buddha, with the purpose to
communicate the Lord Buddha's perseverance and sacrifice in order to obtain the
Ten Perfections during each of his 10 incarnations. Above each panel, there is
a carved phrase from the Itipiso chanting in dark green on white marble, which
makes the image hall's walls attractive and unique. There is also "Ong
Phra Pathom Rattana Buraphachan Maha Chedi", a bell-shaped chedi covered
with golden mosaic situated on top of a hill. The 4.5-metres principal Buddha
image of "Phra Ruang Rungrot Si Burapha" in the posture of persuading
the relatives not to quarrel stands at the front of the Chedi. The topmost orb
of the Chedi enshrines the Buddha's relics. The second floor inside houses
carved marble images of meditation monk masters while the first floor is where
the eight requisites and pictures of the monk masters are kept. Wat Pa Phu Kon
is open daily from 8.30 a.m.-5.00 p.m. For inquiries, please call Tel. 08 1184
3743, 08 2835 0668, 09 0747 2228 or visit www.watpaphukon.org
