PATTAYA, Thailand – A seemingly routine removal of a mango tree took a mystical turn on October 26 when workers discovered an intricately carved green Buddha image nestled within its trunk. The 100-year old tree, standing at an impressive 10 meters tall and approximately 80 centimeters wide, was being cut down in preparation for a religious procession scheduled for November 5.
As the chainsaw made its mark, the workers were met with a sight that left them awestruck – an emerald-hued Buddha image enshrined within the heart of the tree. The delicate extraction that followed saw the sacred image carefully removed and subsequently placed for veneration at the local temple. Intrigued by this extraordinary find, journalists embarked on a journey to Wat Nong Sang Prachabumrung Temple in Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province. Within the temple grounds, a diverse range of trees stood in serene coexistence. Phra Dej Kitthalo, a Buddhist monk at the temple, guided the journalists to the spot where the mango tree once stood.
Phra Dej Kitthalo revealed that an external woodcutter was summoned to remove the tree, necessitated by the upcoming religious event. The split trunk laid bare the captivating Buddha image, crafted from green gemstone and radiating an aura of tranquility. The enigma surrounding the image’s origin and its centuries-old confinement within the tree intrigued both the workers and temple authorities.
The present abbot, now in his third generation, acknowledged the temple’s uncertainty about the image’s origins and its future role in public worship. Currently residing in the temple’s chamber, the enchanting green Buddha image is a silent witness to its mysterious past and future destiny. As the temple administration awaits the return of the Chief Abbot, currently engaged in enriching the knowledge of novice monks at other monasteries, the future of this unexpected spiritual artifact hangs in suspense, leaving the local community and curious onlookers eager for further revelations.
