Luang Po on Koh Samui is an impressive-sized statue of a monk that was built on the grounds of the Bophutaram temple on Bo Phut. It is a building in the form of a ship, on which an old man sits with his leg lowered into the water. Moreover «in water» does not mean literally, although the whole structure stands on an artificial reservoir and not just like that, but with meaning. Luang Po Tuad is a Buddhist name and an honorary title at the same time, and translated from Thai means «dear father».
The content of the article
Temple with a statue of a monk on a boat
The personality to whom the statue and the building underneath are dedicated is quite real. In 1582, in the family of a poor Malaysian farmer, a boy was born, who passed the worthy and wonderful life of a Buddhist and after a hundred years ended his days in Thailand. He was fond of Buddhism from an early age, with the support of very pious parents. From the age of five, he received lessons from teachers in temples, and this science was given to him surprisingly easily, which immediately affected his lifestyle: after all the surrounding temples gave their knowledge, Luang Po went on a journey.
In one of these trips, a story happened, which gave the main motive for the composition in the courtyard of the Bophutaram temple. Heading by sea to the then capital - Ayuthaya, Luang Po got into a serious storm, after which the ship went astray. The storm did not subside for several days, the water supplies were coming to an end, where to sail - it is not clear ... in general, the ship's crew in all seriousness decided that the cause of all the troubles and their seemingly inevitable death was this stranger-monk.
Without waiting for the crew to throw him overboard, Luang Po Tuad began to pray sitting on the edge of the boat with one foot in the water. The sea was quiet. People too. And the monk ordered the quiet people to quickly grab the buckets and scoop the water overboard, which turned out to be fresh. And so they reached their destination - without loss, and in awe-inspiring silence.
The temple grounds are pretty ordinary
A statue of a monk on a boat can be seen from afar
Black monk sitting on a boat
Temple with a huge black statue of a monk on Koh Samui
Luang Po - a statue of a monk on Koh Samui
This temple reminded me personally Black monk in Hua Hin, the story is different, but everything looks similar. And also everything is done on a large scale, the figure can be seen from the road. Go and have a look. If you are not tired of Thai temples yet, you will like it. Honestly, I passed this temple many times, but until they had this huge statue, they had no desire to go.
Information to visit
The entrance to the territory of the Bophutaram temple is free, as well as to the boat building. Moreover, you can enter from two sides, both from the side of the ring road, where the main territory of the temple, and right next to a boat with a monk from a dead-end lane.
Throwing money into the donation box, or not throwing it, is always at your discretion. Considering that all this splendor was built precisely on donations, you should not be greedy, otherwise they will not build new attractions. And the Thais do it beautifully.
In the late afternoon, the building with the boat closes (at least that was when I arrived), so if you want to climb to the statue of the monk, come early.
On the map
Luang Po Monk Statue
Luang Po Monk Statue
A sculpture the size of a Big Buddha. Not yet the most popular but noteworthy Buddhist attraction.
More about the statue.
A sculpture the size of a Big Buddha. Not yet the most popular, but noteworthy Buddhist attraction. More about the statue.
