Description
Wat Ban Dong Yo (วัดบ้านดงยอ) is a small village temple in the Phang Khwang sub-district of Sakon Nakhon. One of the most interesting aspects of this Northeastern Thai temple is the entrance arch, which features the 4 headed Hindu god Brahma at the top. Brahma is the creator of the world in Hindu mythology, and the four heads represent the 4 directions of the world, the 4 dimensions of the universe, as well as the 4 Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajurveda, Samveda, and Atharveda.
Beneath the 4-headed Brahma there is an image of the Buddha, and beneath that an image of Phra Mae Thorani riding a Khochasi. It is very unusual to see the Earth Goddess Phra Mae Thorani (who saved the Buddha from the evil Mara and his minions) riding the half-lion/half-elephant figure known as Khochasi. The Khochasi guard sacred places (much like the Naga serpents and Yaksha do), but they rarely appear at Sakon Nakhon temples, more often being seen in Northern provinces like Chiang Mai. However, even in the North of Thailand, it is rare to see Phra Mae Thorani riding the animal. The Khochasi's elephant head signifies wisdom, while the lion body represents strength.
Wat Ban Dong Yo (pronounced wat bahn dong yaw) is located only about 3 kilometers from the forest temple Wat Pa Phang Khwang Tai and a little over 4 kilometers from the new Sri Chai Rattanakot Ashram.
