Description
Wat Acharo Rangsi (วัดอาจาโรรังสี) is located in the Phanna Nikhom district, only about 10 minutes from the famous Sakon Nakhon temple Wat Tham Kham. The temple is named after two venerable Northeastern monks Luang Pu Fan Acharo (หลวงปู่ฝั้นอาจาโร) and Luang Pu Thet Thet Rangsi (หลวงปู่เทสก์ เทสรังสี). Both monks studied under the founder of Thailand's Forest Tradition of Buddhism, Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta, and were instrumental in spreading the practice.
Wat Acharo Rangsi has multiple entrances which display a large, radiating 3rd eye. The 3rd eye in Buddhism (often seen in the forehead of Buddha statues) refers to the Eye of Consciousness (or Enlightenment), which encourages followers to see the world beyond their physical eyes. It is also referred to as the “gyananakashu” and the 6th chakra.
In Hinduism, the God Shiva also has a third eye. The right and left eye of Shiva are the Sun and Moon, respectively, and the 3rd eye is said to represent spiritual wisdom and knowledge. According to legend, if Shiva opens his 3rd eye, the physical world will be destroyed — which might be interpreted metaphorically as illustrating the manner in which the illusions of the physical world disappear when one becomes enlightened.
Wat Acharo Rangsi looks to recently have completed a gorgeous, white Viharn, with an adjacent pond (which still needs to filled) and two beautiful white salas in which to take in the surroundings and meditate on the deeper meanings of life and the lessons of the Buddha.
Note that as you arrive at Wat Acharo Rangsi from the main road, the first gate is often closed. Just keep traveling down the road a little further, and you'll arrive at a second gate which is open. To view the new Viharn, take the first right, which leads down a small road. If you continue straight, you'll arrive at the main temple grounds and buildings, including a small museum.
