Shimmering in the blazing Thai sun, Wat Rong Khun, consists of white stucco and millions of broken glass pieces. Set against a brilliant blue sky and manicured verdant lawn, it rises like an oasis, an ice temple mirage, that by some miracle does not melt in the summer’s extreme heat.
“The White Temple” while stunningly beautiful is marred by its purpose.
“For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appears beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27)
A pit filled with hands reaching, as though from the depths of hell, greets you at the temple’s entryway. It is colorless save one dot of scarlet from a hand in the crowd proudly giving passersby the middle finger. Skulls held within the grasp of these grotesque hands collect coins as demonic looking creatures leer at you from the bridge. Once crossed you enter the land of Buddha where monks chant blessings and worshippers bow amid a room filled with mystical murals and golden idols.
Meandering through the temple’s visitors, young and old alike, the dichotomy between beauty and repulsiveness is striking.
Like its temples Budhism seems attractive from afar but for all its outward appeal it is full of deception. Buddha is dead, reduced to ashes, with nothing to offer but a lifetime of slavery to fear and vain strivings. The artist of Wat Rong Khun expects this magnificent creation will earn him immortal life, dedicating his money and his life ultimately to this purpose, trusting in his ability to make enough merit to gain him entrance to Nirvana. From what I have seen however this cycle of trying to earn merit leaves people doubtful instead of peaceful and empty instead of filled with hope.
There is no arguing “The White Temple’s” external beauty and it is a fascinating work of art, but its way, like other temples that dot this land, leads to destruction. Only through the work of Christ is the debt for our “bad karma” paid in full, our striving made irrelevant and our lives truly made beautiful.
