Wat Tako, Ayutthaya: Paying Respect to Luang Phor Ruay
Luang Phor Ruay, one of Ayutthaya's best-known revered monks, was abbot at Wat Tako in Phachi district. Here's what to see when you visit to pay respects.
Meeting Point Management Team
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Quick answer
Wat Tako is in Don Ya Nang, Phachi district, Ayutthaya, and is the temple of Luang Phor Ruay Pasathiko. The highlight is the Pasathiko Maha That Chedi, where his body, which never decomposed, rests in a glass coffin. There's also a pavilion on the water where you can feed fish. Open 8am to 4pm.
Key takeaways
- Wat Tako was founded in 1802 and is in Phachi district, Ayutthaya
- Luang Phor Ruay Pasathiko died in 2017 aged 95; his body did not decompose
- The two-level Pasathiko Maha That Chedi has a lift and enshrines Buddha relics
- A pavilion on the water lets you feed fish, and there are good photo spots
- Open 8am to 4pm, tel 035 774 114
Many of you have probably heard of Luang Phor Ruay, one of Ayutthaya's most famous revered monks, but not everyone knows he was at Wat Tako. So today we're taking you to pay respects and make wishes at Wat Tako in Ayutthaya.
Wat Tako is a community temple of the Maha Nikaya order, located in Moo 2, Ban Tako, Don Ya Nang subdistrict, Phachi district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. It was founded in 1802 (B.E. 2345) and received its royal grant of consecrated land on 24 June 1998. Construction of the great chedi began in 2014. The chedi is a contemporary design with two levels. There is a new ordination hall housing the principal Buddha image, with beautiful murals of the Buddha's life inside. Next to it is a pavilion enshrining Luang Phor Thong Kham, Luang Phor Bunyarit and Luang Phor Ruay. The temple grounds also have a pavilion set on the water. Luang Phor Ruay was a famous monk whose amulets are widely known and valued for their many blessings.
Phra Khru Sunthon Thammaniwit (Luang Phor Ruay Pasathiko)
Phra Khru Sunthon Thammaniwit, better known as Luang Phor Ruay Pasathiko, was a revered monk who carried on the knowledge of earlier masters. His auspicious name and exemplary practice earned deep faith and respect. He learned from Luang Phor Chuen (Phra Khru Sunthon Thammaniwit), former abbot of Wat Phachi and founder of Phachi Sunthon Witthayanukul School, who was a direct disciple of Luang Phor Klan of Wat Phraya Yat and Luang Phor Jaem of Wat Wang Daeng Nuea (a master of ritual knives in central Thailand). Luang Phor Ruay was one of the country's leading monks, and he was regularly invited to bless amulets at consecration ceremonies.
Luang Phor Ruay passed away in 2017 at the age of 95, after 76 years as a monk. His disciples kept his body for 100 days. When the coffin was opened on 30 October 2018, his body was found not to have decomposed, so it was placed in a glass coffin inside the Pasathiko Maha That Chedi, where disciples and the public can pay their respects.
Pasathiko Maha That Chedi
The chedi stands out in the middle of Wat Tako. It was designed with the involvement of National Artists in Thai architecture and a team including Wanida Phuengsunthorn, engineer Tawan Weerakul, Bancha Chumkesorn and Ongart Hudakorn. The chedi has two levels, with a lift and stairs inside. The ground floor is a large open hall enshrining Buddha relics and statues of past masters, the glass coffin holding Luang Phor Ruay's undecayed body, and a large lifelike sculpture of him. Upstairs is the chedi itself, where you can enjoy the view and pay respects. It's a truly beautiful chedi.
Wat Tako also has a pavilion on the water where you can feed the fish, plus plenty of nice photo spots around the temple. After exploring, don't forget to take home an amulet. If you'd like to pay respects and bring some good fortune into your life, come visit. It's a beautiful temple near Bangkok that won't disappoint.
For the upcoming Makha Bucha Day, Wat Tako is holding a candlelit procession (wian thian) from 11 to 16 February 2022. Everyone is invited to join, all day from 8:00am to 9:00pm.
Address: Wat Tako, Don Ya Nang, Phachi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm
Tel: 035 774 114
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4e4M5KZbQH2FJQyU6
FAQ
Where is Wat Tako?
In Don Ya Nang subdistrict, Phachi district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Tel: 035 774 114.
What are the opening hours?
8am to 4pm.
Where is Luang Phor Ruay's body kept?
In a glass coffin on the ground floor of the Pasathiko Maha That Chedi inside Wat Tako.
What can you do at Wat Tako?
Pay respects and make wishes, see Luang Phor Ruay's body, go up the chedi for the view, feed fish at the water pavilion and get amulets.
The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.
