Description
Wat Pa Phang Khwang Tai (วัดป่าพังขว้างใต้) used to be referred to on Google Maps as Pray Mercy Bureau Pilgrimage Places. It is a beautiful forest temple, with interesting sculptures and grounds. It is located just a little ways from Wat Sumang Khasaram, another charming rural temple located about 15 minutes outside the city. It has a gorgeous golden Buddha image sitting within a black, multi-headed Naga serpent (its body entwined around the base of the sculpture), as well as sculptures of Isaan's most famous forest monks, including Ajahn Mun.
In addition to common Buddhist iconography (like the Reclining Buddha), there is one sculpture inside a glass pavilion that you might find curious. That is a large turtle with the Buddha riding atop its shell. What does this mean? The symbolic meaning of the tortoise in Buddhism is that they move slowly and intentionally through life, and when dangers are encountered, they retreat within themselves for protection — all of which is similar to how the Buddhist monk travels through life.
In addition, the turtle represents endurance and wisdom. They are beings that are always grounded in the current moment, like the monk who practices mindfulness of the surroundings through which they move. Be sure to walk around the entire grounds of Wat Pa Phang Khwang Tai, so that you can experience all that it has to offer.
