Giant head modeled after famous monk
scares, offends Thai Buddhists
Coconuts
Media Unseen Tour
Thailand
A viral photo of a giant sculpture of the head of a respected monk,
known locally as "Luang Pu Thuat," who lived in Thailand the 1500s,
sparked a controversy online as some deem it is not
appropriate.
Because
many Thai Buddhists believe amulets, sculptures, and images of
Luang Pu Thuat are sacred and hold great protective powers, Baan
Pho temple, in Chachoengsao, is raising funds to build the biggest
sculpture of the famous monk in the Eastern region. So what’s the
problem? They haven’t finished building his body. While the
temple’s intention was to build an image of Luang Pu Thuat, who
people believe performed “miracles” in his day, for locals to
worship, some people said showing the great monk with his head cut
off is offensive.
"I
understand the work is not complete, but this is shocking. Why does
he only have a head? People who respect Luang Pu Thuat are not
comfortable seeing this. Please show some respect," the top comment
said.
"Thais only
want to build the biggest, the longest, the widest things. They
should have not displayed his head until they have completed the
sculpture," another comment said.
"This looks
scary. There's only a head!" a user pointed out.
The
discussion emerged when the photo was shared on the popular travel
page "Unseen Tour Thailand."
Meanwhile,
Wat Baan Pho released mock-up photos of the completed sculptures on
Facebook and mentioned that it will take three years to complete
the 17-meter-high sculpture.
Until then,
locals will have to worship his head.