One of the first monuments I visited when I was living in Pattaya in Thailand was the Sanctuary of Truth built-in 1981, and it is only in wood.
Why was this sanctuary built?
Their creator, Mr. Lek, and Mrs. Prapai Viriyahbhun, hopes to enliven the priceless old arts and culture among people in today’s world. She believes that her constructions will make humanities at every corner of the world to appreciate the arts and culture and living together peacefully. The whole structure is in wood and is about Mahayana Buddhums (one of the two branches of Buddhism and Taoism (Confucianism). Bodhisattva, who is thus a wisdom being or aspiring Buddha who is determined to attain Buddhahood. His main attributes are love, compassion, selflessness, sacrifice, and his capacity for service to others is an unlimited world. Mahayana Buddhism sometimes called the large vehicle that will carry people across the cycle of birth and death.
Bodhisattva is one who will become enlightened and be Buddha but declines to reach nirvana, wanting to save men from suffering first. Although born under differents circumstances, if they conduct good feeds and live good lives, men can be released from the cycle of karma.
The ones behind this crazy project:
Mr. Lek Viriyahphan was born in 1914 and completed his university studies in China. He traveled and devoted to earn knowledge and understanding of national arts, religions, philosophies, and cultures and continue to grow his family business at the same time. In the uncertain world we are living, Mr. Lek believes that through arts and preservation of cultures could make the world better. He then started to build creative architectural arts to reflect his philosophies. To mention, the Ancient City in Samut Prakan Province, where different concepts of arts, cultures and lifestyles, religions, beliefs, in Thai society, could be harmonious for peaceful living. Secondly, the Erawan Museum shows that a society with different cultures could be one through which religion has taught the followers to do good deeds for peaceful living with a unity of the society and the whole world.
Mr. Lek Viriyahphan’s biography:
1914 – Born in Bangkok (in the Year of the Tiger)
1931 – Studied in university
1934 – Took over the drugstore, “Tien Sae Tueng” from his father, and published a Chinese-language newspaper, “Kwang Hua Po” on Phat Sai Road
1939 – Married Ms. Praphai Viriyahphan, daughter of Khun Vicharn Panich (Chum)
1942 – Jointly established Monthon Bank, responsible for credit (Later Monthon Bank was merged with the Agriculture Bank and changed its name to Krung Thai Bank)
1947 – Established Asia Commercial Co., Ltd. (later Viriyah Insurance Co., Ltd.)
1949 – Bought the business of Thonburi Panich Co., Ltd.
1950 – Established Thonburi Car Assembly Co., Ltd.
1963 – Construction of the Ancient City in Samut Prakan started
1972 – The Ancient City officially inaugurated
1974 – Found the Ancient City Journal
1981 – Construction of the Sanctuary of Truth Museum started, and if you go there, you will see that it’s still in renovation!
1994 – Construction of the Erawan Museum in Samrong, Samut Prakan Province started
2000 – Mr. Lek Viriyahphan died in Bangkok on November 17 at the age of 86 years.
Why should you visit this place?
The first time I discovered this place, I thought this place was all about religions, beliefs, and spirituality. And it is so much more! If you know a little bit about Buddhism, you will recognize some faces in there! But what is impressive is the work behind this place. You can see men and women working there on different pieces of the sanctuary. Everything is in wood, and their work is art! So give it a try while you are in Pattaya!
