Wat Wihan Sung, Phatthalung Province

Wat Wihan Sung, Phatthalung (11 January, 2013)


Wat Wihan Sung (GPS: 7.71422, 100.08799), also written Wat Wikhansoon, is a country monastery in Phatthalung Province, Thailand. I came upon it on my way to Thale Noi, as Mr Ooi, the person who was the navigator in our travel group, wanted to pay it a visit.

Mr Ooi is an avid collector of amulets. As Wat Wihan Sung happens to be a centre for amulets due to its resident monk, Ajahn Uthai, Ooi took the opportunity to stop by. Even though I am not into amulets nor am I a Buddhist, I visited this monastery and am describing it from a cultural perspective.

The compound of Wat Wihan Sung is entered from two archway gates, one on the south and another to the east. Our car accessed it from the southern archway gate. Although the eastern gate appears quite ornate, we did not attempt to enter or exit from there, as we weren't sure if the path over there was good for cars.

The building on the left side of driveway in the Wat Wihan Sung complex, as we enter, is I believe the ubosot, or ordination hall of monks. I believe this to be the ubosot, and not the viharn, because it has windows and doors that are closed, whereas viharns are bigger and are likely to be open pavilions. (When visiting Wat Wihan Sung, I asked the Buddhists in my group for the difference between the viharn and the ubosot, but as nobody is sure of an explanation, I came back and did some research on the Internet.)

The ubosot faces east (in shadow at the time of our visit, as it was late afternoon). Its roof is supported by gilded columns sheltering a verandah. It is within its own walled compound, with undulating nagas on its front and rear façades. Also within the ground is a chedi, or pagoda, with a Buddha image in the alcove.

Scattered within the compound of Wat Wihan Sung are other monastic buildings including a the bell tower and a number of secondary pavilions and sheds, including one that houses an ornate float depicting a naga, probably for use in parades. Near the outer wall of the monastery are a few rows of Buddhist mausoleums to departed monks and laypeople. There is also a detached building used as the toilet and other structures scattered within the compound.

On the far right side of Wat Wihan Sung is what I believe will be the principal viharn of the monastery. It was still under construction at the time of my visit (11 Jan, 2013). The huge two-storey building has a tiered, sloping roof topped by three spires.

Smaller in size is the main monastic building. It is also the reception hall of the monastery. This is where, I believe, the resident monk Ajahn Uthai, receives pilgrims coming to seek his blessings. The interior is filled with numerous Buddha images as well as almost life-size statues of monks. There are glass display cases with amulets of various types.

Along with my other friends, I explored the compound of Wat Wihan Sung while Mr Ooi went about his business of acquiring amulets. It was a clear day, and I was able to get quite a number of good shots of this Buddhist monastery.

Location of Wat Wihan Sung

Wat Wihan Sung is located about half an hour from Ban Thale Noi, in the Phatthalung country side. See the location I have provided by GPS coordinates.

Address

Wat Wihan Sung
Chai Buri, Muang Phatthalung,
Phatthalung 93000,
Thailand.

The bell tower of Wat Wihan Sung (11 January, 2013)


Entrance archway of Wat Wihan Sung (11 January, 2013)


The ubosot of Wat Wihan Sung, with four nagas on each side. (11 January, 2013)


The window decoration on the ubosot of Wat Wihan Sung. (11 January, 2013)


The rear view of the ubosot of Wat Wihan Sung. (11 January, 2013)


The ubosot of Wat Wihan Sung with its enclosure wall. (11 January, 2013)


The chedi of Wat Wihan Sung (11 January, 2013)


View of the ubosot and chedi of Wat Wihan Sung together. (11 January, 2013)


An administrative building of Wat Wihan Sung (11 January, 2013)


Parade float in the form of a naga boat at Wat Wihan Sung. (11 January, 2013)


The toilet building at Wat Wihan Sung (11 January, 2013)

Wat Wihan Sung is on the map of Phatthalung Province

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