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One of Thai’s famous Buddhas Luang Por Sothorn or mostly known as Buddha Sothorn is well known in Thai. People from all walks of lives over the country even the neighbourhood countries and amulets collectors are familiar with this Buddha image. Luang Por Sothorn is regarded as one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. It is said that if you pray sincerely to Buddha Sothorn, your career amd wealth would have smooth progress and it will protect your health & safety.The temple Wat Sothorn Wararam Wora Wiham is located in Chachoengsao province, northern Thai.
History of Wat Sothorn
Buddha Sothorn is generally known as Luang Por Sothorn. Its initial historical facts were already unknown. What we know now is only the legendary story passing down from the ancient with brief description and according to the records compiled by Thai Art Department. The Wat Sothorn or Wat Hong, was built in later Ayutthaya period. There was a huge wooden stick in front of the temple, and above it there is a copper made golden phoenix. This is probably how the Wat Hong got its name. However the phoenix was blown off due to strong wind and left only empty wood stick. Thereafter its name was changed to Wat Sao Thong. "Sao" in Thai means the wooden stick, while "thong" means the flagpole. Later the flagpole was broken again, then its name was changed as
Buddha Sothorn is generally known as Luang Por Sothorn. Its initial historical facts were already unknown. What we know now is only the legendary story passing down from the ancient with brief description and according to the records compiled by Thai Art Department. The Wat Sothorn or Wat Hong, was built in later Ayutthaya period. There was a huge wooden stick in front of the temple, and above it there is a copper made golden phoenix. This is probably how the Wat Hong got its name. However the phoenix was blown off due to strong wind and left only empty wood stick. Thereafter its name was changed to Wat Sao Thong. "Sao" in Thai means the wooden stick, while "thong" means the flagpole. Later the flagpole was broken again, then its name was changed as
Wat Sao Thong Thong (วัดเสาทอน).
It was said that there were 3 Buddha images floating from the northern river, and one of it was the Luang Por Sothorn which is worshiped in the temple now, hence the temple was later named as Wat Sothorn.
When was Buddha Sothorn enshrined in Wat Sothorn?
According to the legendary, during the kingdom of Ayutthaya, Myanmar invaded Thailand to loot the local temples especially Buddha statues made from gold as it could be melted into gold. During its second invasion, the devotees of a temple had smeared mud on the whole body of the golden Buddha statues and put them into raft to drift away with river flow. Three of the Buddha statues floated down Pakong river passing through Prachin Buri. Later the statues were seen in Chachoengsao by the local people and they tried to tie the 3 statues with hemp rope and pull it to shore. However their effort was in vain. They couldn’t pull the statues no matter how hard they tried. Then the bigger statue (Luang Por Baan Laem) floating down till Baan Laem in Samut Songkhram province. The local people there pull it ashore and enshrined it in Wat Baan Laem. The smalles one (Luang Por Tor) floated till Samut Prakan province and enshrined by local people in Wat Bang Li. The another statue which was the Luang Por Sothorn floated till Chachoengsao province and discovered by local people. They tried to tie it with the hemp rope and pulled it ashore but they failed no matter how hard they tried. Then a monk set up an altar chanting prayer and tied a blessed cord on the hand of the Buddha image. Amazingly the Buddha image was easily pulled ashore and then enshrined in Wat Sothorn till now. There was no exact record of when Luang Por Sothorn enshrined in Wat Sothorn. Hoever, as the three Buddha images floated at the same period and the year people discovered Luang Por Baan Laem was in B4 2313, therefore it was inferred that Luang Por Sothorn was enshrined in Wat Sothorn around BE2313 too. It was said that King Rama V had been inspected to that area. Although there was no exact date of literature about the the origin name of Wat Sothorn, the prime minister in King Rama V period had said that the person who named it must be someone knowledgeable as it is not only nice but also contains deep meaning.
According to the legendary, during the kingdom of Ayutthaya, Myanmar invaded Thailand to loot the local temples especially Buddha statues made from gold as it could be melted into gold. During its second invasion, the devotees of a temple had smeared mud on the whole body of the golden Buddha statues and put them into raft to drift away with river flow. Three of the Buddha statues floated down Pakong river passing through Prachin Buri. Later the statues were seen in Chachoengsao by the local people and they tried to tie the 3 statues with hemp rope and pull it to shore. However their effort was in vain. They couldn’t pull the statues no matter how hard they tried. Then the bigger statue (Luang Por Baan Laem) floating down till Baan Laem in Samut Songkhram province. The local people there pull it ashore and enshrined it in Wat Baan Laem. The smalles one (Luang Por Tor) floated till Samut Prakan province and enshrined by local people in Wat Bang Li. The another statue which was the Luang Por Sothorn floated till Chachoengsao province and discovered by local people. They tried to tie it with the hemp rope and pulled it ashore but they failed no matter how hard they tried. Then a monk set up an altar chanting prayer and tied a blessed cord on the hand of the Buddha image. Amazingly the Buddha image was easily pulled ashore and then enshrined in Wat Sothorn till now. There was no exact record of when Luang Por Sothorn enshrined in Wat Sothorn. Hoever, as the three Buddha images floated at the same period and the year people discovered Luang Por Baan Laem was in B4 2313, therefore it was inferred that Luang Por Sothorn was enshrined in Wat Sothorn around BE2313 too. It was said that King Rama V had been inspected to that area. Although there was no exact date of literature about the the origin name of Wat Sothorn, the prime minister in King Rama V period had said that the person who named it must be someone knowledgeable as it is not only nice but also contains deep meaning.
The origin of Luang Por Sothorn
There are few different versions of stories about origin of Luang Por Sothorn. There were 3 Buddhas brothers statues floated along northern river to Bang Pakong river area in reversed drift. Local people saw them and tied ropes on the hands of statues. About 500 of them were helping to pull the statues ashore but their effort was in vain. The rope was cut off and the three statues dropped under the water and disappeared. The 3 Buddha statues floated along Bang Pakong river until south of Wat Sothorn but weren’t pulled ashore and kept floating in reversed drift. The elder Buddha floated till Samut Songkhram's Baan Laem. People worshiped and enshrined it till now. And it was named as Luang Por Baan Laem. Another statue floated to Bang Phli in Samut Prakan province, and was known as Luang Por Tor whileLuang Por Sothorn was flowed to Wat Sothorn and enshrined over there. The original Buddha Sothorn was bery beautiful and made from alloy, with over 50 cm of knee distance. The image was in samadhi meditation posture, legs crossed and palms facing top. The monks in Wat Sothorn were afraid that people would be very selfish, had pursue of desire & endless greedy. One would keep the Luang Por Sothorn secretly if he/ she has no religious belief. To avoid these problems in the future, they covered the original statue with cement and made it into meditation posture with knees distance of 165cm. Another folklore said that there were 5 brothers who turned out to posses supernatural power. To help all living creatures they transformed as five Buddha statues and floated along river to place where people hoped to see miracles. One of it was the Buddha Sothorn. Another four were Luang Por Wat Raikhing in Wat Rai Khing, Nakhon Chai Si; Luang Por To Wat Bang Phli in Bang Phli Nai; Luang Por Wat Baan Laem in Mae Klong river’s Baan Laem village, Samut Songkhram; and Khao Takhrao in Wat Khao Takhrao, Petcha Buri.
There are few different versions of stories about origin of Luang Por Sothorn. There were 3 Buddhas brothers statues floated along northern river to Bang Pakong river area in reversed drift. Local people saw them and tied ropes on the hands of statues. About 500 of them were helping to pull the statues ashore but their effort was in vain. The rope was cut off and the three statues dropped under the water and disappeared. The 3 Buddha statues floated along Bang Pakong river until south of Wat Sothorn but weren’t pulled ashore and kept floating in reversed drift. The elder Buddha floated till Samut Songkhram's Baan Laem. People worshiped and enshrined it till now. And it was named as Luang Por Baan Laem. Another statue floated to Bang Phli in Samut Prakan province, and was known as Luang Por Tor whileLuang Por Sothorn was flowed to Wat Sothorn and enshrined over there. The original Buddha Sothorn was bery beautiful and made from alloy, with over 50 cm of knee distance. The image was in samadhi meditation posture, legs crossed and palms facing top. The monks in Wat Sothorn were afraid that people would be very selfish, had pursue of desire & endless greedy. One would keep the Luang Por Sothorn secretly if he/ she has no religious belief. To avoid these problems in the future, they covered the original statue with cement and made it into meditation posture with knees distance of 165cm. Another folklore said that there were 5 brothers who turned out to posses supernatural power. To help all living creatures they transformed as five Buddha statues and floated along river to place where people hoped to see miracles. One of it was the Buddha Sothorn. Another four were Luang Por Wat Raikhing in Wat Rai Khing, Nakhon Chai Si; Luang Por To Wat Bang Phli in Bang Phli Nai; Luang Por Wat Baan Laem in Mae Klong river’s Baan Laem village, Samut Songkhram; and Khao Takhrao in Wat Khao Takhrao, Petcha Buri.
Buddha Sothorn in meditation posture
From the outlook of the Buddha Sothorn, it belongs to the type of appearance in Larn Chang area, which is popular in Laos & northern east of Thai, also known as Phra Lao (Lao Buddha). The original image under the gilded body was still inconclusive. Some people guessed it was carved wood as wood could float in the water while some said it was carved stone. However in the ancient record it was made by alloy. And this is even more evident of the Buddha’s miracle.
Efficacious Luang Por Sothorn
There were plenty legends about the efficacy and miracle happenings of Buddha Sothorn. Many Thais knew that if you wish to gain wealth and enhance your career you should worship Buddha Sothorn. This is because it would bestow prayers wishes to gain extra cash. Therefore, many businessmen would worship Buddha Sothorn. Praying to Buddha Sothorn sincerely could make you obtain wealth & easy money.
In early stage, surrounding area of Wat Sothorn was very remote and there were only few people living there. The traffic was inconvenient too. After enshrining the Luang Por Sothorn, people living on the water believed that praying wishes to Luang Por Sothorn could make their business become smooth. Some believed that the river water in front of Wat Sothorn was holy water. They would drink the water and used it to wash their body and face when they rowed boats to Wat Sothorn. When someone fell sick, they also prayed to Luang Por Sothorn to get protection. Luang Por Sothorn had granted all the wishes for them and to be success. Prayers would always have votive celebration to Luang Por Sothorn. It was said that there was a period of time where famine occurred in the village of Wat Sothorn. Drought occurred and had not rain for long period. Seedlings withered and smallpox disease infected. Many people and children died. Many of the them gave up their home property and ran away. Those who couldn’t run away could only stay there and faced death. That time an old man was infected by smallpox disease and he had no one to look after him. He asked for protection from Luang Por Sothorn. He received an incense ash,a dried worship flower and scripture water from there and cooked all the 3 things together to drink and wash his whole body. His sickness was healed later. He conducted a votive activity delightly. His story was spreaded and people had come to pray and worship Luang Por Sothorn. Now we can see there are many street vendors selling lottery around Wat Sothorn and many devotees are queuing up to make appointments for votive dance to Luang Por Sothorn. It is said that there are many devotees who came to worship Luang Por Sothorn who impromptuly bought one or two lotteries outside the temple would come here again driving luxury cars to arrange the votive dance. They would also donate money to Wat Sothorn to express gratitude. A Thai tea dealer said that his agent would come to donate fifty thousands bahts to the temple every month. He would feel uncomfortable if he didn’t go. He believed that his business is getting better and stable through Luang Por Sothorn’s gift. Therefore he is willing to join and sponsor in every activity.
From the outlook of the Buddha Sothorn, it belongs to the type of appearance in Larn Chang area, which is popular in Laos & northern east of Thai, also known as Phra Lao (Lao Buddha). The original image under the gilded body was still inconclusive. Some people guessed it was carved wood as wood could float in the water while some said it was carved stone. However in the ancient record it was made by alloy. And this is even more evident of the Buddha’s miracle.
Efficacious Luang Por Sothorn
There were plenty legends about the efficacy and miracle happenings of Buddha Sothorn. Many Thais knew that if you wish to gain wealth and enhance your career you should worship Buddha Sothorn. This is because it would bestow prayers wishes to gain extra cash. Therefore, many businessmen would worship Buddha Sothorn. Praying to Buddha Sothorn sincerely could make you obtain wealth & easy money.
In early stage, surrounding area of Wat Sothorn was very remote and there were only few people living there. The traffic was inconvenient too. After enshrining the Luang Por Sothorn, people living on the water believed that praying wishes to Luang Por Sothorn could make their business become smooth. Some believed that the river water in front of Wat Sothorn was holy water. They would drink the water and used it to wash their body and face when they rowed boats to Wat Sothorn. When someone fell sick, they also prayed to Luang Por Sothorn to get protection. Luang Por Sothorn had granted all the wishes for them and to be success. Prayers would always have votive celebration to Luang Por Sothorn. It was said that there was a period of time where famine occurred in the village of Wat Sothorn. Drought occurred and had not rain for long period. Seedlings withered and smallpox disease infected. Many people and children died. Many of the them gave up their home property and ran away. Those who couldn’t run away could only stay there and faced death. That time an old man was infected by smallpox disease and he had no one to look after him. He asked for protection from Luang Por Sothorn. He received an incense ash,a dried worship flower and scripture water from there and cooked all the 3 things together to drink and wash his whole body. His sickness was healed later. He conducted a votive activity delightly. His story was spreaded and people had come to pray and worship Luang Por Sothorn. Now we can see there are many street vendors selling lottery around Wat Sothorn and many devotees are queuing up to make appointments for votive dance to Luang Por Sothorn. It is said that there are many devotees who came to worship Luang Por Sothorn who impromptuly bought one or two lotteries outside the temple would come here again driving luxury cars to arrange the votive dance. They would also donate money to Wat Sothorn to express gratitude. A Thai tea dealer said that his agent would come to donate fifty thousands bahts to the temple every month. He would feel uncomfortable if he didn’t go. He believed that his business is getting better and stable through Luang Por Sothorn’s gift. Therefore he is willing to join and sponsor in every activity.
Luang Phor Sothorn (Wat Sothorn)
泰國著名的佛陀之一 Luang Por Sothorn 或主要被稱為佛陀 Sothorn 在泰國是眾所周知的。全國各界人士乃至周邊國家和護身符收藏家都對這尊佛像耳熟能詳。 Luang Por Sothorn 被認為是泰國最受尊敬的佛像之一。據說，如果你真誠地向索通佛祈禱，你的事業和財富就會順利發展，它會保護你的健康和安全。索通瓦拉拉姆沃拉威罕寺位於泰國北部的查春索省。
索通寺的歷史
佛索通通常被稱為 Luang Por Sothorn。其最初的史實已經不得而知。我們現在所知道的只是古代流傳下來的傳奇故事，根據泰國藝術部編纂的記錄進行了簡短的描述。 Wat Sothorn或Wat Hong，建於大城府時期後期。廟前有一根巨大的木棍，上面有一隻銅製的金鳳凰。 Wat Hong 大概就是這樣得名的。然而鳳凰被強風吹飛，只剩下空木棍。此後，它更名為 Wat Sao Thong。泰語中的“Sao”是木棍的意思，“thong”是旗桿的意思。後來旗桿又斷了，改名
Wat Sao Thong Thong (วัดเสาทอน)。
相傳北河漂浮著三尊佛像，其中一尊是今寺內供奉的龍婆索通，故此寺廟後來被命名為索通寺。
索通佛是什麼時候供奉在索通寺的？
相傳在大城王國時期，緬甸入侵泰國，掠奪當地寺廟，尤其是金子製成的佛像，因為金子可以熔化成金子。在第二次入侵時，寺廟的信徒在金佛像的全身塗抹泥土，將它們放入筏子中隨河水漂流。三尊佛像漂浮在流經巴真武里的巴公河上。後來，當地人在Chachoengsao看到了這些雕像，他們試圖用麻繩將這3尊雕像綁起來並拉到岸邊。然而，他們的努力是徒勞的。無論他們怎麼努力，都無法拉動雕像。然後更大的雕像（Luang Por Baan Laem）漂浮到夜功府的Baan Laem。那裡的當地人將它拉上岸並供奉在 Wat Baan Laem。最小的（Luang Por Tor）漂浮到北欖府，並被當地人供奉在 Wat Bang Li。另一個雕像是 Luang Por Sothorn 漂浮到 Chachoengsao 省並被當地人發現。他們試圖用麻繩把它綁起來，然後把它拉上岸，但無論怎麼努力都失敗了。然後一位僧人設壇念經，並在佛像的手上系上加持繩。令人驚訝的是，佛像很容易被拉上岸，然後供奉在索通寺直到現在。 Luang Por Sothorn 何時供奉在 Wat Sothorn 中沒有確切的記錄。然而，由於三尊佛像在同一時期漂浮，人們發現隆波班蘭的年份是在 B4 2313，因此推斷隆波索通也在 BE2313 左右供奉在 Wat Sothorn。據說拉瑪五世國王曾到該地區視察。索通寺的起源名稱雖然沒有確切的文獻記載日期，但拉瑪五世時期的宰相曾說過，命名它的人一定是知識淵博的人，因為它不僅好聽，而且寓意深刻。
Luang Por Sothorn的由來
關於Luang Por Sothorn起源的故事很少有不同版本。有3尊佛兄弟像逆流漂浮在北河至邦巴空河地區。當地人看到他們，就在雕像的手上系上繩索。其中大約 500 人正在幫助將雕像拉上岸，但他們的努力是徒勞的。繩索被切斷，三尊雕像落入水下，消失不見。 3 尊佛像沿著邦巴空河漂浮到索通寺以南，但沒有被拉上岸，一直在反向漂流。老佛陀一直飄到夜功府的班蘭。時至今日，人們對它進行崇拜和供奉。它被命名為 Luang Por Baan Laem。另一尊雕像漂浮在北欖府的挽披，被稱為 Luang Por Tor，而 Luang Por Sothorn 則流向 Wat Sothorn 並供奉在那裡。最初的索通佛非常漂亮，由合金製成，膝蓋距離超過50厘米。圖像是三摩地，雙腿交叉，手掌朝上。 Wat Sothorn的僧人害怕人們會很自私，有追求的慾望和無盡的貪婪。如果他/她沒有宗教信仰，他/她會秘密保存 Luang Por Sothorn。為了避免這些問題
泰國著名的佛陀之一 Luang Por Sothorn 或主要被稱為佛陀 Sothorn 在泰國是眾所周知的。全國各界人士乃至周邊國家和護身符收藏家都對這尊佛像耳熟能詳。 Luang Por Sothorn 被認為是泰國最受尊敬的佛像之一。據說，如果你真誠地向索通佛祈禱，你的事業和財富就會順利發展，它會保護你的健康和安全。索通瓦拉拉姆沃拉威罕寺位於泰國北部的查春索省。
索通寺的歷史
佛索通通常被稱為 Luang Por Sothorn。其最初的史實已經不得而知。我們現在所知道的只是古代流傳下來的傳奇故事，根據泰國藝術部編纂的記錄進行了簡短的描述。 Wat Sothorn或Wat Hong，建於大城府時期後期。廟前有一根巨大的木棍，上面有一隻銅製的金鳳凰。 Wat Hong 大概就是這樣得名的。然而鳳凰被強風吹飛，只剩下空木棍。此後，它更名為 Wat Sao Thong。泰語中的“Sao”是木棍的意思，“thong”是旗桿的意思。後來旗桿又斷了，改名
Wat Sao Thong Thong (วัดเสาทอน)。
相傳北河漂浮著三尊佛像，其中一尊是今寺內供奉的龍婆索通，故此寺廟後來被命名為索通寺。
索通佛是什麼時候供奉在索通寺的？
相傳在大城王國時期，緬甸入侵泰國，掠奪當地寺廟，尤其是金子製成的佛像，因為金子可以熔化成金子。在第二次入侵時，寺廟的信徒在金佛像的全身塗抹泥土，將它們放入筏子中隨河水漂流。三尊佛像漂浮在流經巴真武里的巴公河上。後來，當地人在Chachoengsao看到了這些雕像，他們試圖用麻繩將這3尊雕像綁起來並拉到岸邊。然而，他們的努力是徒勞的。無論他們怎麼努力，都無法拉動雕像。然後更大的雕像（Luang Por Baan Laem）漂浮到夜功府的Baan Laem。那裡的當地人將它拉上岸並供奉在 Wat Baan Laem。最小的（Luang Por Tor）漂浮到北欖府，並被當地人供奉在 Wat Bang Li。另一個雕像是 Luang Por Sothorn 漂浮到 Chachoengsao 省並被當地人發現。他們試圖用麻繩把它綁起來，然後把它拉上岸，但無論怎麼努力都失敗了。然後一位僧人設壇念經，並在佛像的手上系上加持繩。令人驚訝的是，佛像很容易被拉上岸，然後供奉在索通寺直到現在。 Luang Por Sothorn 何時供奉在 Wat Sothorn 中沒有確切的記錄。然而，由於三尊佛像在同一時期漂浮，人們發現隆波班蘭的年份是在 B4 2313，因此推斷隆波索通也在 BE2313 左右供奉在 Wat Sothorn。據說拉瑪五世國王曾到該地區視察。索通寺的起源名稱雖然沒有確切的文獻記載日期，但拉瑪五世時期的宰相曾說過，命名它的人一定是知識淵博的人，因為它不僅好聽，而且寓意深刻。
Luang Por Sothorn的由來
關於Luang Por Sothorn起源的故事很少有不同版本。有3尊佛兄弟像逆流漂浮在北河至邦巴空河地區。當地人看到他們，就在雕像的手上系上繩索。其中大約 500 人正在幫助將雕像拉上岸，但他們的努力是徒勞的。繩索被切斷，三尊雕像落入水下，消失不見。 3 尊佛像沿著邦巴空河漂浮到索通寺以南，但沒有被拉上岸，一直在反向漂流。老佛陀一直飄到夜功府的班蘭。時至今日，人們對它進行崇拜和供奉。它被命名為 Luang Por Baan Laem。另一尊雕像漂浮在北欖府的挽披，被稱為 Luang Por Tor，而 Luang Por Sothorn 則流向 Wat Sothorn 並供奉在那裡。最初的索通佛非常漂亮，由合金製成，膝蓋距離超過50厘米。圖像是三摩地，雙腿交叉，手掌朝上。 Wat Sothorn的僧人害怕人們會很自私，有追求的慾望和無盡的貪婪。如果他/她沒有宗教信仰，他/她會秘密保存 Luang Por Sothorn。為了避免這些問題
