The Modern World In Paint At Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon

Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon is a forward thinking place. Sure, Buddha images and the usual gold-tinged architectural style dominates. Up on one of the top floors of the main pagoda is a set of wall paintings that depicts the contributions of the monastery. They've been busy.

Monk delivering a service, complete with video coverage.

Helping cute school kids and receiving fancy awards.

How to get around to the flock? By plane!

More award ceremonies and how not to get on a train. Do not think you can keep a monk from a train.

Multi-paned narration of building the main pagoda. Looking a bit like the pyramids or a medieval cathedral. The pagoda was completed in 1984. 

Buddha's History On Window Shutters At Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon

Each level of the nine story pagoda at Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon contains artifacts and painted window shutters. When you land on the fifth floor, you get treated to a nice illustration of Buddha's life and reincarnations. Some of it gets a bit rough. We, ahem, shudder (shutter) to think what his life was like.

Oh, life was pleasurable, all nice stories in an enchanted forest full of a variety of beautiful creatures. Is this image a Disney animation cel?

Not so fast. Slicing and poisoning. That fun forest suddenly seems far away.

No worries. Do you think women grow on trees? They do!

#metoo moment. It's OK for men to spy on bathing women, but women must only conjure their fantasies around the single sex campfire.

Because, well, women: beautiful at first glance, death looming in the shadows.

Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon In Khon Kaen

If there's a landmark contest for Khon Kaen, the big monastery Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon would probably win. It's a major religious destination and the main pagoda is nine stories tall, looming over the city. Bonus, you can climb up to the top and get a great view of Khon Kaen.

Gazing upward at the main pagoda.

Inside, a place for prayers. Revered past monk, in wax.

Revered older monk, out of focus.

Out back, some curiosities. Hello elephant and dinosaur. All God's creatures.

Make it to the top, enjoy this view.