Wat Thaton
The Wat Thaton is a large temple complex in a very attractive setting only a few kilometers from the border with neighboring Myanmar. The temple is located on top of a hill overlooking the village of Ban Thaton and the Mae Kok river. It is built over several levels of a forested hill offering magnificent views over the surrounding rural area.
At the first level of the Wat Thaton you will find a statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Although the Goddess is depicted here with two arms, in some stories Guanyin is said two have a thousand arms, to enable her to help all who are suffering.
The office of the Wat Thaton’s abbot and a Buddhist school are also located at this level. One of the oldest structures of the temple complex is the chedi or stupa, a structure used to enshrine relics of the Buddha, Kings or very important monks. The golden colored stupa is placed on a white concrete base.
Level two contains the ubosot. This is one of the most important structures of any Buddhist temple, since it is the place where new monks get ordained. At level three you will find an enormous sitting white Buddha image named Phra Buddha Nirandornchai in thesubduing Mara posture.
Level four contains the Phra Nakprok building that houses the Vipassana meditation center. On the roof of the building is a huge seated Buddha image sheltered by a mythological seven headed Naga serpent. The next level contains a meditation hall and accommodation for students of the meditation classes.