Sanctuary of Truth in Naklua (Pattaya)
De Sanctuary of truth in Naklua continues to impress and fascinate. No corner is left unused to fill it with a statuette or cup, from large to small. Moreover, everything is made of teak, such as gutters, ornaments, passages, window arches, not to mention all kinds of statues and figures. The woodwork has been preserved with special protective equipment.
Not a nail was used. However, the salty sea air, the high moisture content and the time took its toll. For example, a new statue of Bodhisattva, the "horse" on the highest point of the building had to be replaced. The building is according to Thai architecture from the 17e century and stands on a meter-thick concrete foundation. The entire site is surrounded by a three meter high fortress wall on the Ratchawet-Kap side.
The Sanctuary of Truth is a tribute to religion and philosophy. The rationale was that humanity and civilization could only be reached and nurtured through religious and philosophical truth. According to Eastern beliefs, four elements lead to the ideal world, represented by the figures on the tops of the four "towers". The lotus flower represents the religion in this. A book the immortality of philosophy and a dove the peace. At the very top of the middle spire the new horse. It is a symbol of Phra Sri Ariyametrai, the last Bodhisattva of the world to attain enlightenment. A Bodhisattva, according to Buddhist beliefs, is a future Buddha, a human being who has taken a vow to become a Buddha. Many Buddhists are convinced that Phra Sri Ariyametrai will return as Buddha.
The interior of the Sanctuary of Truth is divided into four zones. In the aisles you can discover different art and culture from Cambodia, China, India and Thailand. A deep thought is pictured that man is but dust in the universe and finally becomes one with it. When the human body has decayed through time, only truth and purity remain. On one of the outer walls, the Thai version of the Indian Rama saga is depicted from the myth world, where the monkey Hanuman is worshiped as the champion of good. A battle between monkeys and demons, between the good and the bad.
With the construction of the Sanctuary of Truth, Lek Viriyahbhun wanted to convey the message that materialistic pleasures are very transient and superficial. True happiness comes from within. He passed away at the age of 86 in the year 2000.
Sanctuary of Truth is located on Soi 12 in Naklua.
– Relocated in memory of Lodewijk Lagemaat † February 24, 2021 –
Thanks for this story about the Sanctuary of Truth , Been there a few and it still impresses . For me one of the most beautiful sights of Pattaya. It is well worth the 600 bath.
If I go with the family consisting of 6 people, I still have to pay 6 times 600. The "white" temple in Chiang Rai is much more beautiful. Free entrance for Thai and 50 baht for farangs. I wonder how they come up with that pricing in Pattaya.
For me too, the Sanctuary of Truth remains the temple that impressed me the most.
The white temple in Chiang Rai is also beautiful but really cannot be compared to the craftsmanship, material and location of the Sanctuary.
From my notes from 2011:
The purpose here is to come to the realization that we are but dust in the universe, that material things are only temporary, but truth and good are immortal. It's about the difference between outward materialistic pleasure and inner spiritual happiness, Cat explained, fortunately also written on a sign in English.
Walked from Pattaya Thai to this beautiful temple in 2008. I was broken on arrival and the photo taken by the temple on arrival showed a wet falang not used to the weather yet and really broken. Been back a few times since then…because it is a very special temple…beautiful…impressive…with flashback to my India working period in the 80/90. This temple is beautiful and very special. The white temple in changmai/changrai is beautiful but this temple really impresses.t
I think this is one of the most beautiful sights of Pattaya, I've been here 5 times and new pieces have been added each time. Great respect for the men and women (mostly from Cambodia) who make this handicraft. Worth a look.
I have been there several times, in a word beautiful, but what we notice is that you write that teak is used, when I was there I asked what wood or was used, I was told (by the guide) that teak wood is definitely not used, he mentioned the name of the wood that is used for it, I lost it but some American wood
Indeed L de Vink, in this beautiful building (monument) when it is not a temple, there is some teak processed, but not much, most of the wood comes from Myanmar, just like most woodworkers there, it is moai deng, or rather red wood, I think of rosewood or mahoney, expensive and hard woods.
Let's hope that soon foreign tourists will be allowed to come again and enjoy this beautiful handmade building
In the mid-1980s I lived nearby when I regularly walked past, an open area where some monks were working, the head monk saw this as a life's work, I got the idea that when this good man died there were some useful things men played into it and turned it into a commercial temple,, I don't pay 600 bath for it,,, would like to know if other people have had different experiences in the years before 1970
Do you want to save the entrance fee, and still see something…?
Which can. This is easiest with binoculars. To get a little closer, go up the riser north of this temple. Google that. (Google maps) That's quite a walk. At the end you will see the temple on the left. That is of course not the same as a visit to the temple itself. A visit that you actually have to do once.
Heela, we have to be frugal in these expensive times!