Dilapidated Temples Overseas Temples

Wat Sorasak Buddhist Temple, Thailand

lightuptemple June 24, 20230

Address

Mueang Kao, Mueang Sukhothai District,

Sukhothai 64210, Thailand

Moolavar

Buddha

Introduction

The Wat Sorasak is a small Buddha temple located in the central zone inside the old walled town. It is located in a spacious area with lots of trees and a few little visited temples along the road to the Sanluang gate in the North city wall.

Puranic Significance

According to a stone inscription found at the temple, the Wat Sorasak was built in 1412 and named after its builder, Nai Intha Sorasak. The inscription that provides information about the temple’s history is exhibited in the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, a few hundred meters from the temple.

The temple consists of a chedi and a viharn. The chedi is a good example of the “chedi surrounded by elephants”, of which many were built during the Sukhothai era. The attractive bell shaped chedi stands on a low square brick base. Protruding out of the base are the bodies of 24 elephant statues that seem to carry the structure of the chedi on their backs. Both the chedi and elephants are made of brick covered with stucco.

In ancient days elephants played an important role in South East Asia. They were used intensively in wars and for various tasks, like carrying logs in the logging business. Kings owned rare white elephants that represented wealth and power. Elephants are also believed to protect Buddhism and are often seen as guardians at Buddhist temples.

Next to the chedi, at the center of each side are the remains of an alter. In front of the chedi is the viharn or assembly hall, of which the base and pillars are left. To the back is a pedestal, the once contained the temple’s principal Buddha image.