Description
Ban Non Sung Priest's Camp Site (สำนักสงฆ์บ้านโนนสูง) is a small Buddhist monastery about 15 minutes from the Sakon Nakhon City Gate. The Buddhist site is not as well kept as it could be, and this is quite unfortunate because it has some very fascinating sculptures that are worth visiting.
One of the most interesting sculptures is that of Phra Phrom, also known as the Four Faced Buddha (a misnomer) or Four Faced God (more accurate). With four faces and eight arms, Phra Phrom is the Thai version of the Hindu creator God Brahma. He is viewed by Thais as a deity of good fortune and protection. He is also believed to be an admirer of Thai classical music, so you may see his sculpture in larger scale outdoor altars where music is played and dancers perform. The most famous version of this sculpture is the Phra Phrom Shrine in the seaside town of Hua Hin.
Ban Non Sung Priest's Camp Site also has a fascinating gate with two Naga serpents (male and female) that take the half-serpent, half-human form rather than the full serpent/dragon form that you usually see at the entrance of Sakon Nakhon temples. And rather than displaying a fierce face, the female Naga (or Nagi or Nagini) is presenting a Wai greeting, while the male Naga has a sword in one hand and an open palm in the other, meaning he is here in peace, but if you want to cause trouble, he isn't afraid to fight.
Inside the temple grounds there are two nice Ganesha sculptures which are starting to look a little worse for wear, and could use a little love and attention, as well as a hermit sculpture and a gold Buddha protected by a seven headed Naga whose heads are fierce.
If you are visiting this monastery, be sure to keep traveling down the road for about another kilometer or so and visit Wat Pa Chareon Tham Sammakki, a lovely little rural temple.
