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Wat Metta Tham Phothiyan

Kanchanaburi

A Magnificent Wooden Mahayana Temple Nestled in a Serene Valley Tucked away in a tranquil valley surrounded by lush, rolling hills, Wat Metta Tham Phothiyan (known in Chinese as “Cipu Shuo Puti Xian Yi”) is a stunning Chinese Mahayana Buddhist temple. For spiritual travelers and culture enthusiasts, this serene sanctuary is an absolute must-visit when exploring Kanchanaburi.

The temple’s true marvel lies in its breathtaking architecture. The entire main sanctuary is constructed from wood, showcasing exquisite, vibrant Chinese carvings and craftsmanship. Inside the grand hall, towering wooden pillars are intricately carved with dragons winding around them, making the space feel both sacred and monumental.

The Masterpieces of Wooden Craftsmanship

Wat Metta Tham Phothiyan is home to an unparalleled collection of sacred wooden art:

• The 12-Meter Thousand-Hand Guanyin: The crown jewel of the temple is a jaw-dropping, 12-meter-tall statue of the Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), meticulously carved from a single piece of wood.
• Over 100 Fragrant Wooden Statues: The temple shrines house more than 100 different manifestations and postures of the Goddess Guanyin, all masterfully carved from rare, aromatic fragrant wood that fills the air with a subtle, soothing scent.

Spiritual Rituals and Traditions

Following Chinese Buddhist traditions, the temple is a highly popular destination for locals and visitors looking to partake in “Bae-Chong” (making merit to ward off bad luck or appease the zodiac signs for the year) and rituals to prolong life, bring good fortune, and boost personal charisma (Barami).

Special Cultural Highlight: The temple frequently opens its vegetarian pavilion (Rong Jae) to serve complimentary, delicious Chinese vegetarian meals to visitors and merit-makers.

The History

The spiritual journey of this temple began in 1994 when Venerable Master Yen Mong from Wat Pho Yen (Tha Maka District) traveled to this valley for meditation. Inspired by the area’s peaceful and auspicious energy, he envisioned a temple here.

With the generous support of local devotees, the Metta Tham Phothiyan Foundation was established to purchase 242 rai of land from local villagers. The official and legal construction of this grand temple officially commenced in 1999 under government approval.