Wat Don Tum Kamalawat

Wat Don Tum Kamalawat, located at Mu 5, Ban Don Tum, Tambon Nong Bua, belongs to the Dhammayutika Sect (Lesser Sect). During 1968 – 1974, Mr. Thawan Thakoengsi, a provincial education officer of Chai Nat, Uncle Sangwan-Aunt Chalao Surarit, Suk Saengdao Shop, and other collaborators of Amphoe Wat Sing joined together to donate land for building a temple to Chao Khun Phra Ratchamuni (Hom Sophano) of Wat Pathum Wanaram, Bangkok, with the aim of establishing a Dhammayutika Sect temple in Chai Nat. Phrakhru Panya Thurathon, an abbot of Wat Khao Chai Thong Wararam, Amphoe Tak Fa, Nakhon Sawan province, was appointed to be in charge of the temple’s construction. He then appointed a monk named Phra Thongyot Santikaro to supervise the construction and raise funds until the task was completed. The temple was established on 22 October, 1970, and granted consecrated boundaries on 5 April, 1974. Its ubosot is the only temple in Chai Nat that has a boundary surrounded with water. The foundation stone was laid in 1975 by Somdet Phra Yannasangwon (the current Supreme Patriarch) and the gold casting of the principal Buddha image ceremony was held in 1978 by Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan (Wasana Mahathera), the late Supreme Patriarch. Wat Don Tum Kamalawat has thereby an auspicious connection of 2 supreme patriarchs. The temple’s atmosphere is serene and comfortable with the shade from the forest. The Dhamma practice residence was designed to conform for Dhamma practitioners who truly require solitude and appreciation in Buddhist values and nature. In addition, Phrakhru Supanyakoson, the current abbot, built a miniature waterfall, guest pavilions, wihan of Luangpu Suk, Somdet To, and Luangpu Thuat, which were constructed in a cave style to conform with the forest temple atmosphere for followers to pay homage.