Wat Phra That Muen Hin | Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto
Wat Phra That Muen Hin (วัดพระธาตุหมื่นหิน) in Kalasin is home to the revered Thai monk Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto (หลวงปู่ศิลา สิริจันโท), who founded the Thai temple in 2024 and now serves as abbot. A special ceremony attended by Thai government officials and a royal emissary of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn was held in June to celebrate the establishment of the temple, which now is attracting thousands of worshipers from provinces throughout Isaan.
In the year 2021, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (daughter of King Bhumibol the Great) presented Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto with the Phra That Na Dun Thongkham Award (พระราชทานรางวัลพระธาตุนาดูนทองคำ) as one of the most outstanding people of Northeast Thailand.
Over the years, the distinguished Thai monk has guided and raised funds for many public works projects, such as new bridges, new medical rooms and equipment, new buildings for rescue centers, and new schools and temples.
Luang Pu Phra Maha Sila is well-known for his wisdom, kindness, and mastery of Vipassana meditation — all of which are said to have given him to the power of premonition, which his disciples have witnessed first-hand. Many Thais have reported receiving great good fortune after receiving his blessing.
Like other famous Isaan monks, LP Sila spent much time hiking the mountain forests of Northeast Thailand (in keeping with the Buddhist forest tradition established by the legendary ascetic monk Ajarn Man Phurithatto Thera).
Wat Phra That Muen Hin translates to the Relics Temple of Ten Thousand Stones. It consists mainly of a giant white pagoda in rural Kalasin, with the Phu Phan mountains providing a scenic view in the distance. A gold statue of LP Sila Sirichanto stands at the entrance. Inside is a striking brass Buddha, along with another statue of LP Sila in a meditative pose holding prayer beads.
Outside the white pagoda is a black Naga serpent that is believed to provide good luck, its long body descending into the ground and occasionally breaking back up through the earth as it encircles the pagoda.
There also is a pavilion, lined with photos of famous Isaan monks like Phra Ajahn Wan Uttamo, where monks offer water blessings to visitors and tie sacred bracelets on their wrists. The blessings and thread bracelets with beads are free, but most Thais will make merit (tham boon) by donating at least 100 baht before receiving the blessing.
Wat Phra That Muen Hin is located about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sakon Nakhon, with 2 routes usually being offered by Google Maps to reach the temple. I suggest taking the most direct mountainous route, which is the most scenic. The roads are occasionally a little bumpy and gravelly when taking this route, but not too bad. The road could get a little rougher as we go farther into the rainy season and pot holes open up.
DIRECTIONS TO WAT PHRA THAT MUEN HIN
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