Attraction Details :
Luang Phor Phet is a
Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara and is the first
generation of the Buddha image in Chiang Saen period. It is enshrined in
the image hall of Wat Tha Thanon in Bang Pho Market, Mueang District,
Uttaradit Province. Wat Tha Thanon, formerly called Wat Wang Tao Mor, is
an ancient temple built during Ayutthaya period.According to the temple’s history, in 1892, Luang Phor Duang, the abbot of Wat Mon Mai in Nong Pho District or currently Mueang District of Uttaradit Province, walked past a deserted ancient temple. He found a big anthill, which looks peculiarly sharper than the normal one, so he tapped the sharp top of the anthill by a stick. The soil uncovered the head of a Buddha image. Luang Phor Duang, therefore, ordered the monks and the temple boys who traveled with him to help dig the soil on the anthill. They found a rather large Buddha image buried inside. After that, they invited the Buddha image to Wat Mon Mai.
Later, Luang Phor Duang thought that there was no proper ordination hall to house the Buddha image. Plus, there were a number of people who knew the news about this Buddha image and came to worship it. Besides, the temple had to be careful about the theft. As a result, Luang Phor Duang thought that it was better to invite the Buddha image to Wat Wang Tao Mor (or currently Wat Tha Thanon) which had Luang Phor Phet as an abbot. This temple had an ordination hall and was located among the community, making it easier for people to go worshipping. Luang Phor Duang consequently invited the Buddha image and enshrined it at Wat Wang Tao Mor. Since the Buddha image was a seated Buddha image in diamond (Phet) posture, which is to sit cross-legs with legs locked together, many people called it “Luang Phor Phet.”
Later, in 1900, King Rama V had Wat Benchamabophit built. There was a gathering of ancient and beautiful Buddha images from many provinces to be housed at this temple. The Buddha image of Luang Phor Phet, with spectacular characteristics, was selected to be enshrined at Wat Benchamabophit, together with the other Buddha images from the whole kingdom. Bringing Luang Phor Phet away from Wat Wang Tao Mor affected the abbot a lot. He was very depressed and decided to leave the temple and make a pilgrimage to several places. Finally, he passed away on the mountain in the forest in Ban Na Ta Rod, Ban Dan Sub-district, Mueang District, Uttaradit Province.
Later, in 1910, King Rama V had the Buddha image of Luang Phor Phet brought back to Wat Wang Tao Mor, according to the request from people in Uttaradit Province. In 1930, Phra Kru Thamma Kitja Piban, along with people in Uttaradit Province, helped building the image hall and invited the Buddha image of Luang Phor Phet to be housed in this image hall so that people can go worship the image more easily.
The Buddha image of Luang Phor Phet is the first generation of the Buddha image in Chiang Saen period, or called Chiang Saen Singh Nueng. This Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara, sitting in diamond posture with short outer robe, is casted in bronze with spectacular characteristics. It is 32 inches of lap width with 41 inches of height. People in Uttaradit Province believe that it is an important Buddha image of the province. The celebration to worship the Buddha image is held annually in the middle of the fourth month.
