สุนทรเจดีย์ศรีเวียงหวาย

Buddha Relic Pagoda Soontara of Sri Wiang Wai

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            The origin of Wiang Wai could be dated back for centuries. Legend has it that Kham Oei, a daughter of Phra Chao Fang, founded Wiang Wang and Wiang Nang (nowadays Doi Wiang Nang). But Wiang Wai later became an abandoned city. Then a group of Shan people migrated from Shan State, Myanmar, around hundred years ago and inhabited the city. Some came from Ban Piang, Kok, Ban Pong, Namron, Ban Ton Phueng. Some of these migrated Shan scattered around Fang and formed their own communities like Ban Pa Hin and Ban Mon Phin. Shan people in Wiang Wai still cherish and preserve their ancestors’ custom and culture, which represents the authentic identity of Shan people.

             In the past, inhabitants of Wiang Wai built a pagoda in the area that became nowadays Wiang Wai’s market. But the pagoda was hit and destroyed by a lighting. The foundation had been relocated to Wat Doi Phrathat Chaloemphrakiat where it remains up until today.

              In 2023, faithful residents of Wiang Wai under the leadership of Thongchai Sangsu, the Headmaster of Moo 9 Ban Wiang Wai and Phra Somchai Punyawaro, the abbot of Soontarawas Temple spearheaded the effort to rebuild the stupa inside Soontarawas Temple. The pagoda is built in palace pattern highlighting combination of Shan and Lanna art forms. Structure of the pagoda has three features.

1. Steeple (3rd layer) – containing Buddha relic and several Buddha images, represents Lord Buddha.

2. Body (2nd layer) – containing Buddha’s teaching scripts in Thai, Lanna, and Shan, represents Lord Buddha’s teachings or Dharma.  

3. Base (1st layer) – at the middle of the base hall, there is a pilaster supporting the superstructure. The capital of the pilaster is decorated with lotus, supporting the Buddha relic. The column is named “aura of Dharma”. The octagon enclosure walls surround the “aura of Dharma” pilaster. The topmost of the walls enshrine casts of 4 venerated monks of Northern Thailand – Luang Pho Kasem Khemako, Luang Pu Waen Suchino, Khruba Sriwichai, amd Khruba Bunchum – each cast face in different 4 cardinal directions. The base represents the Sanga.

4. The Undergrounded Palace – this layer locates the local museum exhibiting the origin of Shan people, culture and tradition of the community related to the way of life and devotedness of Buddhists who wholeheartedly adhere to the teachings of Lord Buddha.