Replica pagoda to be built in US
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Plans have been unveiled for a Thai pagoda to be built in the United States similar to Phra That Phanom, with a budget of about Bt3 billion.
Construction is due to be completed by 2014 to celebrate the 87th birthday of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The original Phra That Phanom, located in Nakhon Phanom, has a history that goes back to BC535. The sacred structure is 57 metres high.
The assistant abbot of Wat Phra That Phanom Wora Mahawihan, Phra Maha Lerdej Worawangso disclosed yesterday that the replica of would not be as high as the popular temple in the Northeast.
“Lightning hits every new pagoda that is built based on Phra That Phanom but attempts to be higher,” the senior monk said. He said the plan to build a replica of Phra That Phanom came up after Buddhists in the US donated a 25-rai plot of land for its construction.
“The Buddhists there have much faith in Wat Phra That Phanom’s abbot Phra Thep Woramuni, who delivered sermons in Los Angeles in 2010,” the assistant abbot said.
The donated plot was spread over a small hill and a perfect site to build a pagoda. The landscape was also similar to Nakhon Phanom, he said.
Chawadon Yuenyong, director of the replica project, said the temple in the US would seek some parts of the Lord Buddha’s relics and parts of the 2,500-year-old original pagoda.
“The original parts are still kept even though restoration works has been done,” he said.
He said donations would be sought from people, the private sector, and state agencies for the new pagoda. It would be built mainly in Thailand and components shipped to the US for installation.
Chawadon said Bt3 billion would be needed for the project, so Wat Phra That Phanom was going to produce and sell amulets to help raise funds for the construction.
Meanwhile, he said the temple planned to celebrate the Year of Dragon this year by constructing a seven-headed Naga statue down to the Mekong River.
“The Naga structure will be about 555 metres long,” Chawadon said, “It’s going to be the longest Naga statue in the world. We will invite the Guinness World of Records team to verify this fact.”
Chawadon said a dragon was very much like a Naga in Thai beliefs. Construction of the structure would start early next month and be completed on April 11.
