25. Tra Pang Thong Lang Temple - Sukhothai

Title Thumbnail & Hero Image: Tra Phang Thong Lang Temple, This photo was taken on November 17, 2019.
25. Tra Pang Thong Lang Temple - Sukhothai

First revision: Nov.12, 2019
Last change: Jul.24, 2021
Searched, compiled, edited, and overseen by Apirak Kanchanakongkha.

Tra Phang Thong Lang Temple, situated outside the city wall to the east, on Charod Withi Thong road (Sukhothai-Tak road) Ancient monuments in this temple include a mandapa, an assembly hall (vihāra), subordinate chedis enclosed by a ditch, and an ordination hall (Ubosatha). Without the main chedi, the mandapa functioned as the principal chedi of the temple - a typical characteristic of a temple in the Sukhothai period. The square mandapa made of brick enshrined a Buddha image of vast size, occupying the entire building. The Buddha image is now in ruins. The mandapa has a porch on the eastern wall and relief-stuccos depicting the story of Lord Buddha on the three other walls. The relief-stuccos are currently in bad condition. However, there are old photographs of these depicting the following:

- Relief on the northern wall depicted Lord Buddha torturing an elephant named Nalakhiri. The stucco carving depicts Lord Buddha standing by Phra Anon (Ananda), his disciple. At his feet is an elephant going down on its knees as a sign of defeat.
- Relief on the southern wall illustrated Lord Buddha descending from heaven after preaching to his mother. The carving depicts Lord Buddha in walking posture, followed by Indra, Brahma, and other gods, each coming to bid farewell to the departing Buddha. A reproduction is on display at the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum.
- Relief on the western wall depicted Lord Buddha preaching to the Shākyavamsa clan in Kabinlapat town. The curving depicts Lord Buddha performing a miracle by surrounding himself with flames, with the Shākyavamsa clan outside.

These relief-stuccos are regarded as masterpieces from the golden age of Sukhothai art, around the early 15th century A.D.⁰¹.

Origin, terminology, and description:
01. From the front of the temple, photo date November 17, 2019.

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