The White Reclining Buddha and the Nine Nāgas 🐍
Hello everyone 👋
During my recent trip to visit my mother, who has been unwell and receiving treatment in Tak Province, I made it a habit to stop at temples along the way — both on the journey there and back. I would quietly offer prayers, asking for good health and recovery for my mother and my husband. While I know it's a matter of belief, these moments of prayer have always brought me comfort and peace of mind. 🕊️
One of the temples I visited on this journey was Wat Don Khanak, located in Don Yai Hom Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Pathom Province. Though not widely known among tourists, this temple has become a meaningful stop for me — a place to pause, reflect, and find strength through quiet moments of faith. 🙏
Wat Don Khanak is incredibly spacious, with wide open grounds and a calm, peaceful atmosphere. Its most striking landmark is the Phra Si Sakyamuni Kodom — a majestic white Reclining Buddha, measuring an impressive 19 meters in length. The Buddha rests gracefully upon a large, intricately sculpted white Nāga (serpent), creating a powerful and serene image that immediately captures your attention. 🐍🤍
The stairway leading up to the Reclining Buddha is guarded by an eye-catching sculpture of a dragon with a Nāga emerging from its mouth — a powerful and intricate design. The artistry reminded me of temples I’ve seen in Northern Thailand, where myth and craftsmanship often blend in beautiful and unexpected ways. 🐉🎨
What made this Reclining Buddha even more breathtaking was the way it rests upon a massive, beautifully detailed white Nāga (serpent). The Nāga’s body coils gracefully beneath and around the platform, with its head raised in a powerful yet elegant posture. 🐉
Standing at the base of the stairs, looking up at the white sculpture against the sky, I couldn’t help but pause. There was something deeply majestic about it — as if strength and serenity were carved into every scale and curve. 🤍
From the top of the staircase, I took a moment to look out over the temple grounds. The view was surprisingly expansive, with a long white bridge stretching over the water, connecting various parts of the temple. The reflection of the trees and the vibrant surroundings made everything feel peaceful and alive. 🌳🌸
Surrounding the main structure are rows of colorful statues — mythical beings, celestial dancers, and animals from Thai folklore. These intricate sculptures add a vibrant and joyful touch to the temple grounds, creating a contrast to the calm white tones of the Nāga and Reclining Buddha. 🎨🕊️
Not far from the Reclining Buddha, there's another stunning area that left me in awe — a high, intricately sculpted mountain scene featuring the Nine Nāga Lineages (พญานาคราช 9 ตระกูล). Each Nāga coils and rises around the rocks in brilliant, bold colors, representing the various mythical serpent clans in Thai belief. 🐍✨
At the very top of this sacred mountain stands a serene image of the Buddha in the "Opening the Worlds" posture (ปางเปิดโลก) — believed to be the one who blesses the Nine Nāga Kings. The scene is both mythical and majestic, blending spiritual symbolism with exceptional craftsmanship. 🌄🙏
Before leaving, I stepped into the Nāga cave shrine tucked beneath the mountain — and it truly felt like entering another realm. Inside, the atmosphere was dim and mystical, lit only by colored lights that danced across the coils of sculpted Nāgas, their scales shimmering in greens, golds, and reds. 🐍🕯️
Every corner was filled with intricate figures, sacred offerings, and powerful imagery. It was quiet and deeply spiritual — the kind of space that invites stillness and reflection. 🌌
As I stepped out of the Nāga cave and took one last look around the temple grounds, I felt a quiet sense of peace settle in. Wat Don Khanak may not be on the usual tourist trail, but for me, it became a meaningful stop — a place of beauty, faith, and inner calm. 🌿
Whether it was the graceful white Reclining Buddha, the vibrant Nāga sculptures, or the intricate scenes tucked into every corner, each part of this temple spoke to something deeper — a reminder to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the stillness within. 💛
I didn’t come here expecting answers, only a moment of peace — and that’s exactly what I found. If you ever pass through Nakhon Pathom, I hope you’ll stop by and experience the quiet magic of this special place too. 🕊️
Thank you so much for reading and walking through this journey with me. Until next time — may your path be peaceful, and your heart light. 😊
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