Work on the colossal Mingmongkol Buddha image, on a 400-meter hilltop in the Nakkerd range in Karon, is due to be completed by the end of 2008.

Already clearly visible across much of the southern end of the island, and even from the western shores of Koh Lone, the image will, upon completion, be the world’s largest marble-covered Buddha image in the Pang Manvichai (meditating) posture, claim its creators.

Officially entitled “Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri”, the image is being built with the cooperation of the Forestry Department, on whose land it sits, together with Wat Kitisangkaraam (Wat Kata) and the Mingmongkol Faith 45 Foundation, which has been soliciting contributions for its construction for years under the slogan, “Enhance your merit value in your mind”.

People who have not visited the hilltop may not know that there are two images at the site. The first, also in the Pang Manvichai posture, was completed in early 2005 at a cost of 8.8 million baht. It is a 22-tonne bronze image of the Buddha covered in gold leaf, 5.5 meters wide at its base and reaching a height of 12.5m. HRH Princess Ubol Ratana Rajakanya attended a prayer and dedication ceremony for the image on February 11, 2005.

Despite its grandeur, that image will be dwarfed by the better-known, massive second Mingmongkol Buddha image, work on which is now focused on the head that reaches a height of 45m. Made of reinforced concrete and to be covered with white marble, the image is 24.5m at its base, which is decorated with enormous concrete lotus leaves.

Suporn Vanitkul, who heads the project committee, said the project is intended to conserve Buddhist art traditions and remind all those who see it to remember the teachings of the Buddha, helping them to be good people. Of paramount importance, he said, is that the image was built as a celebration of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday, which will be December 5 this year.

K. Suporn said that all works of Buddhist art follow historical trends based on legends. The Pang Manvichai posture was chosen for the image because it was in this pose that the Buddha subdued Mara, the Buddhist equivalent of Satan, the embodiment of Evil.

The Mingmongkol Buddha image will be covered with white marble because white represents purity, while the base is of lotus leaves which represent loving kindness.

“Through this Buddha image we want to convey the idea of purity and love to everyone in the world. The entire image is based on the sattha (faith) of the many people who contributed to the construction fund, including rich and poor, Thais and foreigners,” K. Suporn said.

About 60 million baht in donations have been collected, but even this amount is not enough to complete the project, he said.

“We are fortunate to have received many donations of construction materials, including cement, iron and even 135 tonnes of white marble from Burma,” he said.

Knowing that the Buddha image was built in honor of HM The King has made people happy to donate, he said.

“Buddhists believe that building Buddha images is a high form of attaining merit. The minds of those involved in its construction glow with happiness when they reflect upon this. As Buddhists believe in rebirth, we know that this will continue to benefit us not only in this carnation but in future lives,” he added.

Finding someone capable of overseeing such an enormous construction is not easy, but in this sense the Faith 45 Foundation is fortunate to have the services of 60-year-old Prasit Lubliam of Nakhon Pathom, who has a lifetime of experience in Buddha image construction.

“K. Prasit is very good at scaling up from the models to the actual size. Although he is a highly experienced Buddha image builder, he still meditates daily in order to keep his mind free of distractions and focused on the construction,” he added.

The image, which looks over Phuket City, will be surrounded by a “Buddha-Utthayan” garden covering 42 rai.

“It will be a serene place, appropriate for meditation. We have already planned many kinds of hardwood trees there and there will be public restroom facilities,” K. Suporn said.

Devotees, tourists and other visitors will be able to enter what K. Suporn describes as a “museum” constructed inside the image itself, with a floor space of 436 square meters. This room will feature exhibits of the history behind the project with displays of the image under construction and some of the tools used in its construction.

“We will have some areas set aside for meditation in there, too,” he added.

“I would like both Thai and foreign tourists to visit and experience our culture. From the park they will be able to pay respect to the Buddha image and enjoy impressive views of Phuket City.

“We hope that after visiting they will know that Thai people seek peace in the world. The image is a symbol of the peace and loving kindness which the Buddha used to overcome every form of vice and attain enlightenment,” he concluded.

For more information visit www.mingmongkolphuket.com

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