| WAT NOK 1 (วัดนก) |
Wat Nok is a restored monastery located within the Ayutthaya Historical Park. It can
easily be found on the southwestern corner of Wat Maha That. Given such a close
location, Wat Nok is sometimes mistaken as part of Wat Maha That though it has its
own distinct style and history.
Wat Nok is situated in an east/west axis. In situ at Wat Nok are the remains of a
preaching hall and a large prang-like chedi. The ubosot consists of a basic foundation
and renovated traces of its walls and pillars. There are several headless Buddha images
on its altar - all in Taming Mara poses. The prang-like chedi reflects the Khmer style, but
its multiple redented corners and elaborate portico (with secondary prang) are suggestive
of the late-Ayutthaya period. There is a staircased-entrance on the eastern side, but
nothing is visible inside except for bat droppings. The prang has some of the best
preserved stucco in the city. There are many geometric designs visible and a number of
preserved images. A few niches have partial remains of standing Buddha images and one
of the redented corners has a statue of some headless mythological figure. On the
southern side there are traces of Rahu eating the sun.
There isn’t a clear record of this temple’s construction date, but King Maha
Thammaracha (r. 1569-1590) persuaded a Mon monk to live here around 1584 - the
Great Holy Tera Khan Chong. This honor was in reward for his role in Prince
Naresuan's winning independence from the Burmese.
Royal Chronicles describe this story in great detail. While still technically allied with the
King Honsawadi of Burma, Prince Naresuan marched his troops to the city of Khraeng,
where they encamped near the monastery of the Great Holy Tera Khan Chong. King
Honsawadi, in the meantime, set up a plan to betray Prince Narasuaen - sending out an
army of 10,000 to ambush and kill him. Two Mon military leaders, Phraya Kiat and
Phraya Ram, were ordered to attack Prince Naresuan’s troops and execute him
(Cushman 88).
However, the Great Holy Tera Khan Chong was informed of this treachery and took
pity on Prince Naresuan. He arranged a meeting between Phraya Kiat, Phraya Ram, and
Prince Naresuan in which all was revealed. As a result, Prince Naresuan declared
revenge and announced that the two kingdoms “shall be totally divorced from each other
from this day to the end of kalpa.” (Cushman 89). He promised to escort the two Mon
leaders and the Holy reverent to the safety of Ayutthaya – fighting together against the
Burmese along the way.
While leading the Great Holy Thera Khan Chong and his relatives - and the families of
Phraya Kiat and Phraya Ram - back to Ayutthaya, Prince Naresuan defeated the
enraged Burmese in battle and Ayutthaya became independent once again. King Maha
Thammaracha (1569-1590), the father of Prince Naresuan, rewarded the Mon families
in gratitude. Phraya Kiat and Phraya Phra Ram were directed to reside in the vicinity of
the Khamin Village and Wat Khun Saen. The relatives of Tera Khan Chong were sent to
live in a village behind Wat Nok (Cushman 90). This Mon areas stretched all the way
from Wat Nok to Wat Phong. It is highly likely that Thera Khan Chong served as the
abbot of Wat Nok.
easily be found on the southwestern corner of Wat Maha That. Given such a close
location, Wat Nok is sometimes mistaken as part of Wat Maha That though it has its
own distinct style and history.
Wat Nok is situated in an east/west axis. In situ at Wat Nok are the remains of a
preaching hall and a large prang-like chedi. The ubosot consists of a basic foundation
and renovated traces of its walls and pillars. There are several headless Buddha images
on its altar - all in Taming Mara poses. The prang-like chedi reflects the Khmer style, but
its multiple redented corners and elaborate portico (with secondary prang) are suggestive
of the late-Ayutthaya period. There is a staircased-entrance on the eastern side, but
nothing is visible inside except for bat droppings. The prang has some of the best
preserved stucco in the city. There are many geometric designs visible and a number of
preserved images. A few niches have partial remains of standing Buddha images and one
of the redented corners has a statue of some headless mythological figure. On the
southern side there are traces of Rahu eating the sun.
There isn’t a clear record of this temple’s construction date, but King Maha
Thammaracha (r. 1569-1590) persuaded a Mon monk to live here around 1584 - the
Great Holy Tera Khan Chong. This honor was in reward for his role in Prince
Naresuan's winning independence from the Burmese.
Royal Chronicles describe this story in great detail. While still technically allied with the
King Honsawadi of Burma, Prince Naresuan marched his troops to the city of Khraeng,
where they encamped near the monastery of the Great Holy Tera Khan Chong. King
Honsawadi, in the meantime, set up a plan to betray Prince Narasuaen - sending out an
army of 10,000 to ambush and kill him. Two Mon military leaders, Phraya Kiat and
Phraya Ram, were ordered to attack Prince Naresuan’s troops and execute him
(Cushman 88).
However, the Great Holy Tera Khan Chong was informed of this treachery and took
pity on Prince Naresuan. He arranged a meeting between Phraya Kiat, Phraya Ram, and
Prince Naresuan in which all was revealed. As a result, Prince Naresuan declared
revenge and announced that the two kingdoms “shall be totally divorced from each other
from this day to the end of kalpa.” (Cushman 89). He promised to escort the two Mon
leaders and the Holy reverent to the safety of Ayutthaya – fighting together against the
Burmese along the way.
While leading the Great Holy Thera Khan Chong and his relatives - and the families of
Phraya Kiat and Phraya Ram - back to Ayutthaya, Prince Naresuan defeated the
enraged Burmese in battle and Ayutthaya became independent once again. King Maha
Thammaracha (1569-1590), the father of Prince Naresuan, rewarded the Mon families
in gratitude. Phraya Kiat and Phraya Phra Ram were directed to reside in the vicinity of
the Khamin Village and Wat Khun Saen. The relatives of Tera Khan Chong were sent to
live in a village behind Wat Nok (Cushman 90). This Mon areas stretched all the way
from Wat Nok to Wat Phong. It is highly likely that Thera Khan Chong served as the
abbot of Wat Nok.
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| Text & photographs by Ken May - August 2009 |
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| (Click thumbnail for an aerial view) |
| (View of Wat Nok) |
| (Remaining stucco work) |
| (Remaining stucco work) |