So if you're not into elephant riding, zip-lining, hill trekking, and such, Chiang Rai has another major attraction, the White Temple. Some people travel to Chiang Rai
just to see the White Temple. Seriously. Anyhow, it is the work of one man, local sculptor Chalermchai Kositpipat; and his evidently many assistants and disciples. The original Wat Rong Khun was in disrepair and Kositpipat has come to its rescue, rebuilding and adorning the place, and enlarging it. An offering to Buddha. It opened to the public in the late 90s, but work continues, and it is not projected to be completely finished until 2070. Vicki and I were reminded, vaguely, of Antonio Gaudi and Barcelona and the
Familia Sagrada (or the
Familia Sangria, as we call it). Vaguely. Anyhow, if you're in Chiang Rai, you have to see it. Go early before the tour buses start arriving. And buy a
bodhi leaf for me.
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| Checking out the departure times for the municipal bus |
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| Thus; packed; the White Temple is about 10k outside the city |
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| Mr. Kositpipat greets us; one-dimensionally |
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| After the ticket office and entrance |
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| The White Temple |
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There is all manner of symbolism about, warning us of
greed, lust, pride, etc., and the Path for avoiding these;
incidentally, the Wikipedia article goes into this a bit, more
than I have any interest in doing |
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| Something about evil; the Dead Marshes? |
'
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Entering the Gate of Heaven: Death (note genitals); somehow
this reminded us of Gollum |
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Opposite Death, Rahu, sort of a Sorting Hat/Last Judgment
in (this version of) Buddhism; note breasts |
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| Us, there, showing respect |
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| Campanile? |
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| Baptistry? |
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| Definitely |
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Under a huge long arcade...good luck bodhi leaves hanging above, by the
hundreds of thousands |
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| Good luck bodhi tree, one of several |
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| At this point we succumbed and plopped down our 30 bhat (1U$D) |
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| Thus |
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Depositing our good luck bodhi leaf; maybe I won't come
back as a dung beetle after all |
