Khon Kaen Community Enshrines 400-Year-Old White Buddha
The ancient Luang Pho Phra Khao Buddha statue, believed to be over 400 years old, was enshrined in the Isan sim of Wat Pa Saeng Arun in Khon Kaen after a ceremony led by senior monks and the former governor. Participants dressed in white joined the rite, which now allows daily worship from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Devotees believe praying to the statue brings success and the fulfillment of wishes, and the temple also runs a merit‑making lottery and accepts donations for its upkeep.
Phra Phutthiwachiramethi, the acting abbot, explained that the Luang Pho Phra Khao statue has resided at Wat Pa Saeng Arun for many years after being discovered by a Lao monk disciple of the former abbot, Phra Phrom Wachiradilok, who saw it in a vision at Phu Kao‑Phu Phan Kam in Nong Bua Lamphu province. After years of searching in the forest, he finally located the statue in a cave, covered in mud, and brought it back to the temple, where it has been kept as a companion image ever since. The statue was solemnly enshrined in the Isan sim during the auspicious 50‑day royal merit‑making ceremony for the late Phra Phrom Wachiradilok, allowing Buddhists to pay respects daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Believers hold that praying to Luang Pho Phra Khao brings success and the fulfillment of wishes, a belief reinforced by the former abbot Luang Pho Saman, who said any stalled work or monastic activity would be resolved through devotion to the statue. To accommodate worshippers, the temple prepared betel‑nut sets and monk’s robes, requested women to wear a sinh or pha nung when entering the Isan sim, provided a worship text and blessing chant, and invited visitors to write their name, address, phone number, and birthdate for a quarterly lottery that awards silk and sinh cloth to 100 participants each time. Those wishing to support the temple’s religious and public‑utility projects can make donations via Krung Thai Bank, account name Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Temple, account number 437‑3‑30794‑6.
