Description
Wat Bot Mat Samakee (วัดบดมาดสามัคคี) is a small, village temple in the Phanna Nikhom District of Sakon Nakhon. The most notable attraction of this temple is a large white Buddha statue (5 meters by 5 meters), which was built in 2007. There is a flame atop the head of the Buddha, which represents his elevated consciousness and the light of true wisdom. This flame atop the head is called an Ushnisha. It also can take the form of a lotus flower, dome, or spire. The flame version is indicative of the Sukothai era of Thailand Buddhist art (1238-1438).
Wat Bot Mat Samakee has a gorgeous entrance gate. You pass through it and then take a short path up to the temple. Therefore, you cannot see the large, white Buddha named Somdej Phra Buddha Samana Gotom (สมเด็จพระพุทธสมณโคดม) from the entrance. Also at the temple are several beautiful Kuti (monk residences), which look to have been built relatively recently, as well as a spirit house dedicated to honoring the ancestors of the village.
Wat Bot Mat Samakee translates to the Temple of Grinding Harmony, which refers to the fact that nothing can destroy the harmony of the Buddha, but rather the Buddha grinds all life into harmonious balance. The temple is located in between (almost equidistant) from Wat Si Bun Rueang and Wat Si Rat Trai Phon, both being actually within walking distance if it is a cool day, and you feel like taking a stroll through the villages. This area of the province is about 30 minutes Northwest of Sakon Nakhon city, in the direction of Udon Thani.
