"Let each man exercise the art he knows."-Aristophanes.
Chalermchai Kositpipat, an artist who grew up in Chiang Rai, Thailand, had a vision;sacrificing his own time and money and using his talent to create the greatest work of his life as well as the most meritorious.He wanted to announce to the world the magnitude of the contemporary Buddhist art consisting of architecture, painting and sculpture. After winning multiple art awards, he used his gained fame and fortune(no government or public funding) to create a unique art style of his own: Wat Rong Khun, often called the Chiang Rai's White Temple for an obvious reason.
The building of the temple started in 1997, when Chalermchai was 42 years old and at the height of his art career. Seeing the temple, it is hard for me to believe that the gorgeous, detailed masterpiece is still a work in progress twelve years later. The fact that it is a private modern temple is very interesting, but it is the amazing art work that brings visitors from all over the world to admire a man's vision.
I loved that fact that we were accompanied by Sam and Jay,our trekking guides, when we visited this temple. A big part of admiring the art, is trying to understand what went through the artist head while creating it. And with the information the guides provided, as well as information from a book I bought from the temple museum, I am fascinated with the artist marvelous creation. Chalermchai imbues beliefs and riddles from Buddhism in his paintings and sculptures, creating a truly magnificent masterpiece.
The use of the white color represents the Buddha's purity; the adornment of the glittering mirrors symbolize the Buddhism belief of observing one's mind and reflecting love and kindness towards humankind. Even now, it gives me goose bumps looking at the photos of the pure white color. It adds peace and innocence, as well as complexity to the building. Looking at the temple, I am reminded of some childhood mornings in Michigan, waking up and looking outside the window to see snow covered grounds for the first time that winter, on Christmas day. It is the feeling of clean,wished for snow that I get looking at the white temple.
To get to the prayer hall inside the temple, one passes the Bridge of Bliss. The bridge symbolizes the Buddhism Bridge of the Cycle of Rebirth; the way to reach happiness is by eliminating cravings. Cravings are represented by hands burning in hell and reaching out for help. Once that is passed, one can proceed to the the Gate of Heaven, guarded by Rahu(controller of man's fate) on the left, and Death(controller of man's life) on the right. The Buddhism theory,as well as the temple details, go into more complicated depths talking about six levels of heaven and a noble path.
Unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside the prayer hall, and I can't seem to find any website or online photos of the beautiful Buddha altar, and painted murals. I am glad that I got a book that shows some photos of these gems, maybe I'll scan and download these photos one day.
The last photo is of the layman quarter of the temple, where the museum, art gallery and golden toilets are.
"My reason for building the temple and creating art work is just for the sake of letting go and not clinging. Therefore, problems are no problems for me since my mind recognizes no problems. The bigger the task, the more people, time and money are involved. If frustrations,low-spirits, disappointments,poverty, stinginess, selfishness,insincerity, and desires for profit, status, and praise are what one gets in return, it is only natural that suffering will occur to a person who undertakes to perform a big task,since he is not well-versed with reality." -Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Comments (7)
Hi Candi, I really enjoyed learning about and understanding the meaning behind the architecture of this beautiful temple. Your photos are wonderful capturing all angles and aspects of the artists vision. I'm amazed at his dedication and personal financial commitment to this project. I really loved the quotes!
Thank you so much for sharing your photos and posting about this interesting temple. I am really looking forward to your next post!
Have a great day today.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | July 1, 2009 6:57 AM
Posted on July 1, 2009 06:57
What an amazing place. Love the sculptures of all the hands. You are right, it does have the same feeling of waking up to a clean snowy morning. I love the artists' quote: my mind recognizes no problems!
Posted by Annie | July 1, 2009 9:36 AM
Posted on July 1, 2009 09:36
This is an amazing temple. I love the white color and the bridge. It is rather scary seeing all those hands.
Posted by Marta | July 1, 2009 9:43 AM
Posted on July 1, 2009 09:43
Candi, what a beautiful entry, both your evocative words and your incredible photographs. Your visit to this place sounds like one of those "this is what travel is about" moments. I love your descriptions of your feelings. Thanks so much for sharing this amazing experience with us! :)
Posted by Anne | July 5, 2009 12:54 PM
Posted on July 5, 2009 12:54
Candi, this is absolutely remarkable! What a vision for a modern temple.
I love the idea of being able to pass through the cycle of cravings and desires and come out the other side. (But all the hands are a bit unnerving!)
Your photos are great, thanks for this!
Posted by sandrac | July 6, 2009 3:07 PM
Posted on July 6, 2009 15:07
Wow! Truly amazing! What material is this temple made out of? Is it marble? I am also amazed this temple is so "young". Thanks for posting these photos!
Posted by girasoli | August 24, 2009 2:17 AM
Posted on August 24, 2009 02:17
Girasoli, it is not marble, it is just built of stones,with the use of mirrors and lots of carvings.
Posted by candi | August 24, 2009 12:49 PM
Posted on August 24, 2009 12:49