Description
Rattanatraya Maha Chedi (รัตนตรัยะมหาเจดีย์) is walking distance from Phra Chedi Si Maha Pho and only only about 2 kilometers from Phu Pha Lek National Park in the Song Dao district of Sakon Nakhon. It is located on a mountainside road that leads away from Wat Tham Apai Damrongtham (Wat Tham Puang).
Rattanatraya Maha Chedi is an 11.5m golden Chedi with 3 sections. Inside each section are 30x30 cm stone slabs inscribed with Dharma teachings of the Lord Buddha on both sides. The upper floor contains 9,000 slabs, the second floor 2,200 slabs, and the lower layer 2,772 slabs. The doors of the Chedi are permanently closed to cure all of these stone tablets.
Eight arhats are positioned around the courtyard of Rattanatraya Maha Chedi. The arhats (or arahants) are carved in stone and represent an enlightened one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and achieved Nirvana. There is also a small Buddha statue placed on each of the 4 sides of the Chedi, representing the 4 directions (North, South, East, and West), and the life of the Buddha.
This Chedi was built in 2017 and named Rattanatraya Maha Chedi because it contains the 3 Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Followers. It is thought to be the only Chedi in the world that is filled with over 20,000 Dharma teachings inscribed on stone slabs. It was created to sustain the message of Buddhism 1,000 years from now, even if all books were to be lost.
The only thing that we don't understand is why the Thai word Rattanatraya (รัตนตรัยะ) is used, since the Thai word for the 3 Jewels is slightly different: Rattanatrai (รัตนตรัย). Indeed, when Thais talk about this Chedi, they often drop the additional Thai vowel and say Rattanatrai Maha Chedi (รัตนตรัย มหาเจดีย์). However, the signage does not use that spelling. So, for now, this is a mystery.
