Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit: A Symbol of Modern Buddhist Teaching

- Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit was established in 1959 after Mom Luang Chuchat Kamphu, the Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, visited Wat Umong (Suan Buddhadhamma) in Chiang Mai. During his visit, he listened to a sermon by Phra Phanyanandha Bhikkhu, who was residing at Wat Umong at the time. Inspired by Phra Phanyanandha's innovative approach to teaching Dhamma, which replaced traditional preaching from a pulpit with reading palm-leaf manuscripts, he introduced modern public speaking techniques. These included delivering impromptu Dhamma talks with contemporary examples, making the teachings more relatable and engaging for the public. - Subsequently, the Royal Irrigation Department constructed a new temple named "Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit" in Bang Talat Subdistrict, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province. This was done as compensation for utilizing the land of Wat Choeng Tha and Wat Na Bot, located at the mouth of Bang Talat Canal, to build a pier for the department. The original historical sites of these two temples still remain and are collectively known as "Buddhist Sites of Choeng Tha-Na Bot." In 1960, Phra Phanyanandha Bhikkhu was invited to become the abbot of Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit.