Wat Kong Karn

Wat Kong Karn is located at Moo.7 Mae Suek Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District , Chiang Mai. It is actually 7 kilometers far from the central of Mae Chaem District and settled only 2 kilometers far from Wat Buddha Ean on Sai Hod-Mae Chaem Road. This temple is very important to Mae Chaem’s locals. This is because there is a famous Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara called Phra Chao Ton Luang which has 10 cubits and 9 inches long measure of the Buddha statue in the posture of meditation. This sacred Buddha image has been placed inside the wooden chapel with the old style roofing tile on top and it has been respected and well taken care by Mae Chaem’s locals in ages. Phra Chao Ton Luang is an ancient Lanna style Buddha image which is so beautiful and counted as the biggest Buddha image of Mae Chaem District.When Phra Chao Ton Luang Buddha image was first discovered, it was respectfully invited to place at Wat Kong Karn but at that time it was not yet covered with lacquer and gold like it is today. Moreover, it has been told that anyone who looks into the eyes of Phra Chao Ton Luang Buddha image, which are as beautiful as the real human eyes, was later coughing up blood till die. Due to this long tale story, the temple needed to cover up the eyes of Phra Chao Ton Luang Buddha image with gold. So the gold eyes of Phra Chao Ton Luang Buddha image that we have seen nowadays are the eyes that hide the soul of the real eyes inside. Later, one of the most popular temples in Bangkok wanted to invited Phra Chao Ton Luang Buddha image to move to Bangkok. So, they sent ten-wheeled truck in order to dislocate this Buddha image but somehow they incredibly faced difficulties and troubles that barred them from moving. Thus, Phra Chao Ton Luang Buddha image is still placed at Wat Kong Karn till now. There is a warning that no one should ever try showing disrespect to this sacred Buddha image or else you will forever meet difficulties in life.The name ‘Wat Kong Karn’ originally converted from a northern Thai word ‘Ghong Karn’ which means a pile of wooden carrying pole. The temple is named Wat Kong Karn because, in the past, there are lots of Buddhists who have a strong belief in Buddhism came over the temple in order to make a merit and they all carried food and stuff on a shoulder pole. Later, the locals set the 15th day of the 8th waxing moon as an official day to pay homage to Phra Chao Ton Luang.Any Buddhists interested to make a visit and pay a respect to Phra Chao Ton Luang can come over at Wat Kong Karn everyday as the temple open daily.