The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, was a masterpiece to behold. Curves and spires rise from the earth, converging in geometric and unpredictable ways to form this creative and inspiring temple. Wat Rong Khun was a Buddhist temple before its purchase and, although staggering renovations have been made since, the temple remains as much an homage to classic Buddhist temples as it is a deviation from them. After feeling the spiritual energy of the grounds and seeing visiting monks strolling peacefully through the property it is hard to describe Wat Rong Khun as an art installation because it is still a functioning temple in so many ways. When creator Chalermchai Kositpipat purchased the property in disrepair, he brought this temple into existence not just as an exploration into his own artistic vision but also as a place of meditation to honor Buddhism. The temple itself is a stunning blend of contemporary and classic structure, realistic and fantastic imagery, manifestations of good and evil, and Buddhist and Hindu themes and architecture.
The Blue Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten
We found The Blue Temple by pure happenstance as we drove past in a cab and it turned out to be a perfectly serendipitous occasion. We hadn't heard of the blue temple because it is less well known and newer than The White Temple but for us stumbling upon Wat Rong Suea Ten was perhaps a bit more more magical. As we entered we were faced with a traditional temple structure flanked and studded with unexpectedly enamoring details. The vivid glowing blue that surrounded us seemed to pour out of every possible surface and emanate from every periphery. The experience evoked a feeling of calm and excitement at the same time that you might describe as spiritual. A feeling of oneness and peace like seeing the expanse and majesty of the pacific ocean for the first time and realizing that it is in fact as blue as it has been in your dreams.
