Pages

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Chiang Rai White Temple



Wat Rong Khun better known as the White Temple, is a contemporary, unconventional, privately-owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat.
The bridge of "the cycle of rebirth": the main building at the white temple, the ubosot, is reached by crossing a bridge over a small lake. In front of the bridge are hundreds of outreaching hands that symbolize unrestrained desire. The bridge proclaims that the way to happiness is by foregoing temptation, greed, and desire. Next to the lake stand two very elegant Kinnaree, half-human, half-bird creatures from Buddhist mythology.
Gate of Heaven: After crossing the bridge, the visitor arrives at the "gate of heaven", guarded by two creatures representing Death and Rahu, who decides the fate of the dead. In front of the ubosot are several meditative Buddha images.
This is a place like any others!