Description
Wat Ban Lao Po Daeng (วัดบ้านเหล่าปอแดง) is less than a kilometer away from Wat Siri Phatthanaram. You will pass both temples on your way to the lakeside temple Wat Pho Sri Maharat. This village temple is noted for its large white Buddha statue, clothed in a gold robe.
Wat Ban Lao Po Daeng also has a sacred fig tree, under which there is a gold Buddha statue. This sacred fig tree is called the "Bo" (โพธิ์) tree in Thailand. It is under this tree, whose scientific name name is Ficus Religiosa, where the Buddha achieved enlightenment (Bhodi). At Sakon Nakhon temples (and elsewhere) you will often see this tree wrapped with cloth. It is viewed as very sacred, the Buddha once telling his followers that they should worship the tree as symbolic of the Dharma.
Sometimes you may be perplexed to see broken figurines of Buddha, Thai Kings, and Hindu deities under a Bo tree at a Sakon Nakhon temple. This is because it is thought that the spirits would be angered if the figurines were thrown away. So, instead, they are placed under the Bo tree for safe keeping. It is rare that these trees will ever be cut down. When it is done, an elaborate ceremony with monks must be performed prior to the cutting.
