The huge white stupa of Wat Arun loomed out of the blue sky

The stupa at Wat Arun, which is closely associated with the Thai royal family, is not only huge, but also different in color and shape from other stupas commonly seen in Southeast Asia. While most stupas are usually bell-shaped and chunky, the one at Wat Arun is slender and stretches as if it were pierced by the sky. It looks like a thumbtack pointing upward. It is not only that, but it is pure white, without any golden coloring. The white stupa stretching high in the sky under the blue sky radiates an exceptional atmosphere.

In Buddhism, the color white represents the color of Buddha's teeth, and is said to represent purity of mind to cleanse the mind of evil karma and suffering from afflictions. The white color of the stupa at Wat Arun is the embodiment of purity. However, it does not mean that one can become pure by approaching the stupa and throwing away one's worldly desires. At least, it did not for me. The area around the stupa was crowded with many tourists, and it was just like this world itself. If one could get rid of one's troubles just by approaching the stupa, there would be no need for monks to be ordained to practice Buddhism.

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