Description
Wat Ban Na Due (วัดบ้านนาเดื่อ) in Sakon Nakhon is evolving into a temple that honors the mystical teachings and visions of Luang Phor Lersi Lingdam (หลวงพ่อฤาษีลิงดำ). Nearby at Wat Pa Samakkhi, there is also a huge courtyard filled with over 50 statues of "The First Buddha," which LP Lersi Lingdam saw in a vision.
All of this seemed quite strange, as LP Lersi Lingdam's influence isn't that widespread in the Northeast (Isaan), compared with the North of Thailand. But after a little bit of digging, we learned that the head monk of Sakon Nakhon's Phon Na Kaeo district, Luang Phor Nun Suwichayo (หลวงพ่อหนุน สุวิชโย), is a disciple of Luang Phor Lersi Lingdam. He studied directly under the meditation master as a young monk.
At Wat Ban Na Due, a small replica is currently being built of the famous "The Crystal Temple" Wat Tha Sung, which is where LP Lersi Lingdam was abbot and where he had built an awe-inspiring sculpture of "The First Buddha" (Somdej Ong Pathom). The temple also holds his remains which have miraculously not decomposed.
In our photo gallery, you'll see a gold statue of a monk wearing black-framed glasses. That is, LP Lersi Lingdam.
Not only is there a crystal temple replica being built Wat Ban Na Due. A bejeweled glass encased sculpture of Somdej Ong Pathom (สมเด็จองค์ปฐม) has been constructed, outside of which is a plaque engraved with LP Lersi Lingdam's famous Million Dollar Mantra (คาถาเงินล้าน), which he taught his disciples to repeat 9 times when facing financial difficulties. Listen to the mantra in the video below.
The temple is located about 30 minutes from Sakon Nakhon city, and about 10 minutes from the famous Chaloem Phrakiat Lotus Park. It also is only a couple kilometers away from Wat Phutthamok Phalaram.
