Wat Thephiran (วัดเทพหิรัณย์)

Thai. ‘Divine Golden Temple’ or ‘Temple of the Divine Gold’. Name of a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Chainat Province. The temple is affiliated with the Mahanikaya and occupies a land area of approximately 44 rai and 68 square wah. It received royal permission for the establishment of wisung khama sima, the consecrated boundary for ordination rites, on 16 August BE 2537 (1994 AD), with dimensions of 29 metres in width and 79 metres in length. The origins of the monastery date to BE 2509 (1966 AD), when it was first established as Nong Tharakoo (หนองทาระกู) Monastic Residence, named after the local settlement. Official permission to construct a temple was granted on 27 September BE 2521 (1978 AD), and the monastery was formally established on 22 January B.E. 2522 (1979 AD). During this period, its name was standardised from Nong Tharakoo to Nong Tharaphoo (หนองทาระภู), and it was subsequently renamed Wat Thephiran. The first abbot was Phra Sunthon Sirichantoh (พระสุนทร สิริจันโท). In B.E. 2533 (1990 AD), the local community invited Phra Chawalit Chavaroh (พระชวลิต ชวโร), who later received the ecclesiastical title Phra Kruh Paisahn Chaikit Thephiran Mahamongkhalarat (ไพศาลชัยกิจ เทพหิรัณย์ มหามงคลรัฐ), to assume the position of abbot of Wat Thephiran. In the back of the temple's garden is a large outdoor pedestal with giant bronze statues. The central figure represents the hermit Reusi Tah Fai (fig.), whilst the figures behind him represent the revered Buddhist monks Luang Poo Thuad (fig.) and Luang Poo Toh (fig.). WATCH VIDEO. 回