Description
Wat Sapansri (วัดสะพานศรี) is one of several Sakon Nakhon temples, including Wat Phra That Choeng Chum, which creates ornate castles for the city's famous Wax Castle Festival. The Yo tribe of Wat Sapansri (who migrated to the area over a 150 years ago from Laos) has practiced this ancient art for a very long time, and continue to this day in order to make merit, pay respect to deceased ancestors, and celebrate their culture.
Wat Sapansri is also noted for containing several valuable items and antiques, including a stone inscription of the history of the temple and Yo community, which is found at the base of the main Buddha image in the Ubosot; 78 ancient silver Buddha images in the posture of demons, which were discovered during excavation under the temple in 1989; Buddhist relics from Sri Lanka; a 200 year old Takhian Thong tree stump which had been used to build the temple's race boat; and Phra That Sibunyanurak (พระธาตุศรีบุญญานุรักษ์) — a 19-meter high Chedi built of bricks and mortar to cover ancient scared objects.
As you enter temple grounds, you'll see a beautiful bronze statue of Luang Pu Thep Lok Udon, a famous Buddhist monk whose statues and images are found throughout Thailand. He is a legendary Arahant/Arhat; that is someone who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved Nirvana. He has been known since King Ashoka's era (India 268-232 BCE) and is reportedly still alive somewhere in Thailand today — only appearing to a special few who have a mystical affinity with him.
After visiting Wat Sapansri, we would recommend checking out the nearby cafe Tree House (7km away), which offers delicious coffee, tea, Italian sodas, and beer, as well as inexpensive but "aroi" Thai lunch dishes — all in a rural setting amidst rice fields.
