Wat Khung Taphao

Ubosoth of Wat Khung Taphao, 2008.

Wat Khung Taphao ( listen ) (Thai: วัดคุ้งตะเภา, literally Temple of the bend of sailing ship watercourse) is a Buddhist temple (wat) located in Ban Khung Taphao, Mueang Uttaradit District of Uttaradit Province in Northern Thailand.

Wat Khung Taphao was established in the era of the Thonburi Kingdom (1768–1782), and is still an important active temple in the Ban Khung Taphao region.

History

Lecture hall at the monastery is now 70 years old.

Wat Khung Taphao is an ancient temple, but there is no archaeological evidence as to when it was built. There have been monasteries here since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351–1767), and Buddhists arrived sometime in the late 18th century.

Wat Khung Taphao has a hall for religious observances. Local villagers were taught by the monks at the monastery until the government began supplying teachers.

When the river floods, it rises over the river banks and scours under the monastery foundations. Khung Taphao villagers decided to establish a new monastery farther away from the river. After the new monastery was built, the river changed its course and moved away from the monastery; this new land became monastery property.

Background of temple name

Wat Khung Taphao seen in silhouette along the river.

When government representatives came to record the names of the villages and landmarks in the area, the names for the village and temple were recorded incorrectly. The village name was changed from its original, "Ban Khung Sam Phao" (Thai: บ้านคุ้งสำเภา) to "Ban Khung Taphao", and the temple became "Wat Khung Taphao". These new names have remained the official ones to the present day.

See also

• List of Buddhist temples

External links

• Wat Khung Taphao (Thai)
• Wat Khung Taphao history (Thai)