Description
Wat Sitthi Bang Khom (วัดสิทธิบังคม) is a Phanna Nikhom temple best known as the place where the Buddhist monk Ajarn Fun Acharo was ordained at the age of 20. Luang Pu Fun Acharo (หลวงปู่ฝั้น อาจาโร) is the most famous monk to emerge from Sakon Nakhon province.
A disciple of the legendary Ajarn Mun, he was ordained at Wat Sitthi Bang Khom in 1919. A museum honoring his life is found at Wat Pa Udom Somphon.
One temple building remains from the early 1900s: the small Sim or Ubosot where Ajarn Fun (also spelled Achan Fan) was ordained. The charming Sim is designed and colored in traditional Isan style. Two of the temple's most sacred (and valuable) Buddha statues are housed within this Sim.
Wat Sitthi Bang Khom also has a tall Chedi which houses relics from Phra Khru Sakon Samanakit Sangkhavaha (พระครูสกลสมณกิจ สังฆวาหะ), who was the abbot of Sakon Nakhon Province from 1923-1936. Inside that Chedi are small antique statues of the Buddha which were made during that period.
Wat Sitthi Bang Khom is located about 3 kilometers east of the Sao Khwan Nun Dharma Practice Center, with its unique Metal Bodh Gaya Chedi that was built to honor the Mahabodhi Temple which marks the place where the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
