Description
One Sakon Nakhon temple which doesn't get much attention is Wat Uthachan (วัดอุฒาจารย์) in Phanna Nikhom, as it tends to get overshadowed by the nearby temple Wat Pa Udom Somphon, where the relics of Ajarn Fan Acharo are held.
However, Wat Uthachan has a notable distinction. That is, it is one of only a few temples in Thailand where a Bo tree grows which traces its origins to the Sri Maha Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
The original Bodhi tree in India no longer exists. However, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka is believed to have been made from a cutting from the original Bo tree. It is now over 2,300 years old, making it the oldest living tree in the world.
There are sacred Bo trees in India that are said it have been made from cuttings from this Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka, and a cutting from one of those trees was used to create a Bodhi tree that was brought to Wat Uthachan by Phra Khru Phanna Naruemit (พระครูพรรณานฤมิตร) in 1960. Phra Khru Phanna was the abbot of Phanna Nikhom at the time.
The planting ceremony was conducted by Thailand's Minister of the Interior, Dr. Boon Charoenchai (ดร.บุญ เจริญชัย) with great fanfare among the local villagers of Phanna Nikhon. Thus demonstrating the auspiciousness of the event.
The old sacred tree at Wat Uthachan is called Don Sri Maha Bodhi (ต้นศรีมหาโพธิ) and is surrounded by statues of the Buddha in different poses. The temple grounds also include a beautiful Ubosot, Bell Tower, and a Pagoda which honors the past abbots of the temple, including Phra Khru Udomsilathikun (พระครูอุดมศีลาธิคุณ) whose bronze sculpture is housed inside.
Wat Uthachan traces its history back to 1789, with new construction occurring in the early 1900s. It's located only about 500 meters from the Hor Thala City Pillar Shrine, which is a shrine that honors the guardian figure (Chao Pu Thala) of the Phu Thai tribe who settled in Northeast Thailand after migrating from Laos.
Sri Maha Bodhi Mantra Chant
If you visit Don Sri Maha Bodhi at Wat Uthachan (or any other sacred Bo tree in Thailand), the faithful are instructed to deliver this chant to receive an overflow of blessings in their life.
ปะฐะมัง โพธิบัลลังกัง ทุติยังอนิมิสสระกัง
bpà-tà-mang poh-ban-lang-gang tú-dtì-yang a-ní-mít sà-gang
ตะติยัง จังกะมะ เสฎฐัง จะตุตะถัง ระตะนะมะรัง ปัญจะมัง
dtà-dtì-yang jang-gà-má săy-tăng jà-dtù-dtà-tăng rá-dtà-ná-má-rang bpan-jà-mang
ะชะปาลานิโครธัง ฉัฎฐังราชา ยะตะนัง สัตตะมัง มุจจะรินทั้ง
acha-bpaa-laa-ní-koh-rá-tang chat-tăng-raa-chaa yá-dtà-nang sàt-dtà-mang mút-jà-rin-táng
อะหัง วันทามิ ทูระโต (สาธุ)
a-hăng wan-taa-mí too-rá-dtoh (săa-tú )
