KHON KAEN: The design of the crematorium for the late Luang Phor Khoon has been unveiled, with the cremation of the famous monk planned for later this year.
The crematorium was designed by the fine and applied arts faculty of Khon Kaen University. The estimated construction cost is 10 million baht. The main features represent Mount Sumeru and the Anodat pond with 30 mythical animals.
Niyom Wongpongkham, the dean of the fine and applied arts, said on Wednesday the entire shructure will be white, signifying the simplicity, humility, purity and graciousness of the revered monk.
Mount Sumeru is the centre of the Buddhist Universe and is surrounded by Anodat, the mystical pond.
"All construction costs will be covered by well-wishers who have shown their intention to be among the hosts for the ceremony," he said.
The crematorium will bring together about 50,000 artists and volunteers to build. "Everybody will work for free for Luang Phor Khoon and to send him to heaven," he said.
The then abbot of Wat Bai Rai in Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima, died at the age of 92 in 2015. The body of the revered monk was donated for medical students at the university for study.
His cremation ceremony will be held at Buddhamonthon in Muang district in Khon Kaen. The date for the event has not been set but it is expected to be in late November, as Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, the dean of the medicine faculty, said on Tuesday that about 500 bodies donated for study, including that of Luang Phor Khoon, will be returned to their family members by that time.
Mr Niyom said the charred remains of the monk will be floated in the Mekong River in Nong Khai as he wished.
Luang Phor Khoon had told his disciples that he did not want an extravaganza ceremony for him when he died.
