Description
Samnak Songs continue to be one our favorite Undiscovered Thailand destinations (especially in Sakon Nakhon). Samnak Song Phra Si An (สำนักสงฆ์พระศรีอารย์), located on the edge on Nong Han Lake, is a fine example of a Thai samnak song, otherwise known as a Buddhist monastery or "priest's camp".
Samnak Song Phra Si An is named after a bodhisattva known in India as Maitreya or Metteyya, who is believed to be the future (and final) Buddha who will appear when the teachings of Gautama Buddha have been disregarded or largely forgotten. He also is referred to in Thailand as Phra Sri Ariya Maitreya (พระศรีอริยเมตไตร).
A gold statue of Phra Si An is located under a small pavilion, along with three statues of the Buddha. He has been placed in the front, and is sitting in meditative position, holding a ceremonial fan in front of his face. The fan is hollow and in the shape of a flame, symbolizing the Buddha's enlightenment.
Next to the Buddha pavilion are two Naga statues facing the lake. One is a large Black Naga that is coiling in protective manner around a gold statue of the Buddha. In front of this statue is a smaller unusual one of the Naga King named Nandopananda, who wanted to become a Buddhist monk but was denied by the Buddha because only humans can become monks.
The Buddha however honored the serpent king's noble desire by stating that all young novice monks from that point onward should be called Naga. This is the first time we have seen such a statue at a Thai temple.
Samnak Song Phra Si An has other statues on the grounds, including a gold Buddha with walking stick and an old sculpture of a hermit monk beside a sacred tree at the lakeside. Usually only one monk resides at this rural monastery which is located not far from Ma-Na Bistro & Cafe, one of Sakon Nakhon's best restaurants.
