Dhamma Path Blog

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Revisited (BE2567) ~ Met With Kruba Ariyachat - Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan ~ Chiang Rai - Thailand (Part 2/2).

Wat Sang Kaew Photiyan was founded by the abbot Kruba Ariyachat Ariyachitto in year 2006 (Buddhist year BE2549). This year BE2568, temple is celebrating the 18th anniversary of Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan and making merit to celebrate the 44th auspicious birthday of Kruba Ariyachat (Kruba Phrapawanaratanya). With the kindness of the monks and the Sangha, Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan would have the grand ceremonies auspicious event of the year for good fortune in the beginning of the new year BE2568, especially in the inaugural ceremony of pouring gold to cast "Phra Saeng Kaew Phothiyan Luang", the new principal Buddha image in the Royal Vihara (replacing the original after the Vihara was burnt down). Cast from sacred brass, total weight 40 tons and height 14.75 meters and will enshrined at the Royal Vihara, Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan.

The blessing Hall at the evening time during my visited.

The place to meet with Kruba Ariyachat.

Photo taken with Kruba Ariyachat & received blessings from him, he is a very nice monk, Kruba Ariyachat is always very friendly and welcoming visitors from near and far. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Listening to Kruba Ariyachat sermon.

The small altar of Luang Phor statues and behind the banner with photos of the Vihara building was burnt down in June BE2567.

Workers are preparing the decoration for coming Celebration of the 18th anniversary of Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan and the 44th birthday merit-making ceremony of Kruba Ariyachat Ariyachitto on 9 Jan BE2568.

The main altar inside the Hall with many of sacred Phra Buddha statues.

The Phra Buddha statues.

Statues of Grandfather Saeng and Grandmother Kaew.

Along the walkway and small altar veneration of statues.

The statue of Bo Bo Gyi, of a guardian deity (called Thep Than Chai amongst Thais) unique to each Burmese Buddhist temple or pagoda. Bo Bo Gyi is typically depicted as a nearly life-sized elderly man, dressed in a curved cap and sometimes carrying a cane, to signify old age. According to a legend of Shwedagon Pagoda, the Gautama Buddha's hair relics were given to two Mon merchants who later gave them to the King of Yangon, wanting the relics to be properly enshrined in a pagoda. Bo Bo Gyi, as an avatar of Indra, came down to earth and pointed his finger to the proper location where that pagoda should be built, which is where the Shwedagon Pagoda is now. Hence, he is popularly depicted as a figure pointing his finger as a reference to this legend. Many believe that praying to (Thep Than Chai), wishing to (Thep Than Chai), and having their forehead touched by the deity's pointing finger of the Thep Than Chai (knows as Thais), will bring them luck.

The shrine for Phra Upakut and Phra Pikanet.

Iconic Phra Nang Kwak statues in Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan.

Sihuhata statue in Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan.

Photo taken with Phra Mae Thorani statue.

See more amulets from Kruba Ariyachat at:

👉 http://thaiamulets-dhammapath.blogspot.com/search/label/Kruba%20Ariyachat?m=0

See more other Thai amulets at:

👉 http://www.thaiamulets-dhammapath.blogspot.com/?m=0

Monday, January 6, 2025

Revisited Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan (BE2567) ~ Kruba Ariyachat ~ Chiang Rai - Thailand (Part 1/2).

Wat Sang Kaew Photiyan is absolutely beautiful with the statues, buildings, mountain view and skywalk. In this part 1/2, we sharing The Fern Garden, 3 Krubas statues and the Maitreya Buddha statue (with Sky Walk) for my visited in Dec BE2567. This year BE2568, temple is celebrating the 18th anniversary of Wat Sang Kaew Photiyan and making merit to celebrate the 44th auspicious birthday of Kruba Ariyachat (Kruba Phrapawanaratanya). In part 2/2 we will sharing photos of Kruba Ariyachat.

Another Wiharn building was under construction (beside the Fern Garden). The first thing I noticed was the Vihara building significant damage due to a fire in last June at the front side of temple, now was under construction for restoration efforts.

Photo taken with Phra Pikanet statue.

Along the way there is also venerated a huge statue of the Hindu deity Phra Pikanet four arms, huge statue of Phra Phron, Lord Shiva, Phra Narai and Hindu deities.

Shrine of Phra Upakut.

Shrine of Nawakot 9 Faces Buddha.

Mercy Guan Yin of Thousand Hands and Dragons.

The huge Thep guardian at front of stairs walk.

Photos taken in front of the statue of Kruba Srivichai, there are images of his followers Kruba Khao Aphichai Pi (1889-1977) and Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phattana (1913-2000). Both Krubas were followers of Kruba Srivichai and came from temples in Lamphun province, not far from Wat Ban Pang, the temple of Kruba Srivichai. The behind is the Maitreya Buddha statue.

Photo taken with statue Kruba Srivichai.

Photo taken with statue Kruba Khao Aphichai Pi (1889-1977).

Photo taken with statue Kruba Chaiyawongsa Phattana (1913-2000).

The stair of Phayanak Naga image and behind is the gallery of Phra Kruba Ajahn statues. Another side of gallery of famous national persons. This galleries is same level as the 3 Krubas image.

Photot taken with statues of Phra Kruba Ajahn.

Photo taken with statues of famous national persons such as King Mengrai, the Mon Queen Chamathewi, King Taksin, and several of the Kings of the Chakri dynasty.

The sacred and big statue of Phra Maitreya Buddha image with 50 meter height by 20 meter width.

The 3 storey Glass Bridge SkyWalk of Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan was opened on 13 Feb 2023. This is a steel and glass construction built around the new giant image of the Maitreya Buddha. The Sky Walk allows people to pay their respects to the image (inside Phra Maitreya Buddha statue have luminous Phra Buddha images) and enjoy the views over the surrounding countryside. The temple’s abbot Kruba Ariyachat Ariyajitto said the skywalk had been built to encourage people to make merit and study Buddhism. During my visited already passed 5pm operating time (9am till 4pm).