Location: 9.945410, 99.153471
The Chinese Temple in Pak Nam Lang Suan is 74 km south of Chumphon Town. Take Highway 41 towards Lang Suan. Just before Lang Suan turn left onto Road No. 4099, signposted for Park Nam Lang Suan. After about 6 km the 4099 joints the 4002, at the junction turn left and follow the 4002 for 10 km. When in Park Nam Lang Suan turn right at the crossroads and the temple is 500 m along this road on the left.
The páifāng (symbolic gateway) entrance to the temple is non gated, has the temples name placard and a multi tiered decorated roof.
The road though the gateway goes straight and passes the temple building. The idea is that evil spirits cannot turn corners they would just continue on missing the place of worship. As added protection on the back wall of the temple, facing the road are a number of dragons.
This is known as the yǐngbì or zhàobì (shadow wall) which is to stop ghosts or evil spirits from entering.
As is the requirement the main temple building entrance faces south.
In the courtyard can be found a number of things all associated with offering prayers. Right at the front is a large highly decorated pot containing dark sand, for the burning of joss sticks.
To the left of the iron pot is a tall round symbolic brazier. This brazier is not for burning anything, but is there to collect the coins that devotees try to throw inside it for luck.
And to the side of the brazier can be found a dragon wall. This wall has seven dragons, a nine dragon wall (Jiǔ Lóng Bì) indicates the imperial sponsorship of a temple. Actually the sponsorship of this temple is by a Doctor based in Bangkok. An amazing donation.
In front of the doorway into the temple building is a statue of Hùfǎ Wéituó Zūntiān Púsà (Skanda). Skanda is a helmeted warrior and the protector of temples.
The temple building is divided into two rooms. The first room you enter you will find an altar with a statue of a golden sack-cloth monk Bùdài. He is a fat figure who is always depicted laughing, hence his nickname the laughing Buddha. He was a 10th century chan (zen) monk and is often associated with children.
Behind the laughing Buddha you will find the entrance to the main chamber. Sadly the lady who showed us around was unable to explain but the traditional set up has three main statues in the hall, all of which sit on Lion Thrones (the throne of the Buddha). The central figure is Sakyamuni and he is normally flanked by the Buddha of the Western Pure Land Amitābha and the Medicine Buddha Bhaiṣajyaguru.
In both rooms the walls are highly decorated.
There is one other building here worth visiting and that is the toilet block. Built is the same style as the temple. However where the temple has dragons guarding it, the toilet block has fish!
This must be one of the nicest toilets we have been to in Chumphon and it even extends into the internal decorations.
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