Wat Bang Kanun

Wat Bang Kanun is located beside Bang Kanun canal, at Ban Bang Kun Gong, Amphoe Bang Kruay, Nonthaburi. This temple was registered as the historic site in 1998. The legend has it that in the old times, the temple had been at its glorious age. However, the capital was defeated, many royal family members then evacuated here. Later in the reign of King Phra Puttha Yodfa Chulalok (King Rama I), they altogether renovated Wat Bang Kanun, and restored its glamor once again. The temple has its outstanding attractions, such as Phra Ubosot, Tipitaka Hall in the middle of the pond, and Sang-Ked or Ruen Suad (Offering Set to the monk in the religious rites). One of the most famous feature at the temple is Hinbotya (or the medicine grinding stone), for crushing and making Thai traditional medicine. Hinbotyaa consists of 3 sets, each sets comprises 3 pieces of tools; pestle, mortar, and wooden slab as a base for the mortar. The pestle is made from red sand, it is a rectangular shaped stone, with 1 foot long, and 1 palm span wide. The hard wooden slab looks like a stool. It is assumed to be made from teak wood, since it is light, durable to termites, indecomposable, and perfect when in use by human force. After grinding the herb until it breaks into powder, it is later mixed with other herbs to make a medicine, and cure whatever illness as desired.Around 1988, the abbot of Wat Bang Kanun (who at present had already passed away) had good knowledge of Thai traditional medicine, since the temple had Samut Thai, which was an ancient Siamese rough bush leaf manuscript (Samut Khoi), describing traditional medicine recipes. Wat Bang Kanun held many of them, such as 7 Abhidharma Buddhist scriptures, pictures of 10 incarnations of the Lord Buddha (these two were presumed to be made in the reign of King Rama I). As for law textbook, and also astrology textbook, they were supposed to be written during King Rama VI to King Rama VII. Nowadays, only some of these Samut Thai have been left through time. The most significant manuscript are 7 Abhidharma Buddhist scriptures, and pictures of 10 incarnations of the Lord Buddha. Moreover, the temple also has stage for monks to give sermon as well. It was built in the late Ayutthaya period, with colorfulness, and intricately flower engraved wood. It is rare to find such antique these days. Wat Bang Kanun is one of the historic tourist sites that we should pay a visit and go sightseeing once in our lives.