The incident that has caused a stir took place on the grounds of Nongsang Pracha Bamrung Temple in Chonburi province in eastern Thailand.
Newspaper Nation It describes an ancient mango tree being cut down when the abbot of Nongsang Pracha Bamrung Pagoda decided to renovate the pagoda in preparation for a major Buddhist event on 5 November. The temple hired workers to cut down the mango tree, which was about 10 meters high and about 80 centimeters in diameter.
While looking at the tree trunk, the worker suddenly saw a small Buddha statue inside and informed the monks.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the small Buddha statue was made of emerald, which is more than 100 years old. The statue depicts a faintly smiling image of the Buddha, which appears to have been damaged during the use of a saw.
A more than 100-year-old Jade Buddha statue was discovered inside the trunk of an ancient mango tree in a Thai temple. Photo: The Nation
It is said that this statue appeared as the first abbot of Nongsang Pracha Bamrung Temple.
The current abbot is the third generation in the history of the temple. The reason why this idol is located in the trunk of an ancient mango tree is still unanswered.
Many journalists went to Nongsang Pracha Bamrong Pagoda to report on the Buddha statue. There are many old trees in the grounds of this temple. The mango tree was cut down and now only the stump is left.
Presently, the statue of Buddha is kept in the abbot’s bedroom. It is unclear whether the statue will be restored for public worship.
There is still no answer to the mystery of the Jade Buddha statue in the trunk of a mango tree in Thailand. Photo: The Nation
