Khon Kaen: A sensation at Wat That in Khon Kaen Province has created a unique pulpit for sitting and preaching. The base is made from a large dinosaur figure, over 3 meters high, able to move its head back and forth and make sounds. It is placed inside the temple's chapel, next to the principal Buddha image. At Wat That, a royal temple in Khon Kaen Province, in the Khon Kaen Municipality, inside the temple's ordination hall, there is a strange pulpit that is unlike any other in the world. It is a pulpit with a pedestal on a large dinosaur model. It stands majestically beside the Phra Chao Yai Som Prathan, the principal Buddha image. The height from the base to the dinosaur's head is approximately 3 meters and the length is approximately 11 meters. Furthermore, the dinosaur can move its head back and forth and make sounds.
According to Thai News Agency, Phra Ratcha Phatthana Wachirabhandit, abbot of Wat That and deputy provincial ecclesiastical chief of Khon Kaen, explained the origin and concept behind the construction of the dinosaur pulpit, saying that Wat That is an ancient temple and one of the main temples in Khon Kaen Province. It is the location of Phra Si Satta Na Khanahut or Phra Phuttha Phra Lap. This year marks the 500th anniversary of Phra Phuttha Phra Lap, so the temple intends to communicate this auspicious occasion to relatives, devotees, and the general public. In addition to creating murals inside the chapel that tell the story of human treasures, heavenly treasures, and cultural practices that lead to sustainable development, the temple has also created a pulpit that is linked to prehistoric animals, namely dinosaurs excavated in Phu Wiang and Wiang Kao districts, Khon Kaen Province, which are linked to the city of Khon Kaen. It tells the story of cultural practices with temples as the center of learning, res ponding to religious tourism dimensions as well.
The construction of the dinosaur pulpit was adapted from the dinosaur parts ordered from China. It is made from a special flexible but strong material. When it is an important occasion, monks can sit and preach on it, using stairs as the way up.
The abbot of Wat That also said that another important meaning of building the dinosaur pulpit is the embedded teachings of the Buddha, which teach all creatures to be kind and considerate to one another. The dinosaur pulpit also represents the way of life of contemporary culture, creating more interest for children and youths because in addition to coming to pay respect to the Buddha in the chapel, they also learn about dinosaurs and the pulpit and how important it is.
