About Wat Nakhuean
History
Wat Na Khuean is an ancient temple that was established during the reign of King Rama V.
It was officially granted permission for construction in the year 1862 (B.E. 2405).
Later, in 1957 (B.E. 2500), the temple was abandoned for a period and had no resident monks. In 1960 (B.E. 2503), Phra Khru Srisatyaphiwat appointed Phra Prakob Sitadhammo to serve as the acting abbot, becoming the first abbot of Wat Na Khuean. Wat Na Khuean was granted Visungkhamsima (the official boundary for the ordination hall) around 1909 (B.E. 2452). The boundary measures 6.50 meters in width and 11.50 meters in length. The first restoration took place around 1934 (B.E. 2477), and the second was carried out around 1969 (B.E. 2512). The temple received an official certificate recognizing its status from the Chonburi Provincial Office of Buddhism under Section 31 of the Sangha Act, B.E. 2505, as amended by the Sangha Act (No. 2), B.E. 2535, on February 9, 2010.
Wat Na Khuean currently has an ordination hall (ubosot) that is approximately 122 years old. Over time, it has deteriorated significantly, with termite damage along the wall edges, cracked ceilings, broken and chipped flooring, and severely damaged walls. In light of this, the abbot, temple committee, and local Buddhist community have agreed to construct a new ubosot based on the architectural design of the ordination hall at Wat Phra Rama 9 Kanchanaphisek, to replace the existing structure. The original ubosot will be preserved as a Dhamma venue within the temple. A designated construction site at the front of the temple—currently a football field—has already been prepared for the new building. The abbot envisions the new ubosot as an eco-friendly structure, designed with simplicity and harmony with nature in mind. The landscape will be adapted to reflect the local socio-cultural context. The primary target group for this new ubosot is the elderly, ensuring accessibility and providing a peaceful space for practicing Vipassana meditation for mental well-being. Wat Na Khuean is well-managed in terms of its internal environment. The abbot governs the temple with an emphasis on participation from all monks and novices. In their spare time, they work together to construct permanent facilities for communal use and for the benefit of visiting Buddhists. Completed and functional projects include monk residences (kuti), restrooms, and the sala kanprian (multi-purpose hall for sermons and learning). Additionally, the abbot has proposed that the monks and novices collaborate in building and decorating the new ubosot. The local community is also ready and willing to contribute and support the construction through donations and merit-making until the project is fully completed.
Ubosot
Wat Na Khuean serves as the spiritual center for the residents of Village No. 6, Na Pa Subdistrict. It is the community’s local temple and acts as the central venue for organizing community activities.
These include religious events on important Buddhist holidays, almsgiving, the Kathin robe offering ceremony, observing precepts on Buddhist holy days, and practicing Dharma and chanting during these observance days.
