Wat Phra Yuen is a small temple opposite Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai with the Kuang River in between them. There is now a bridge connecting the two banks called by Lamphun locals Khua Mung due to its being a bridge with a roof over it. Most people dont know much about the temple. However, according to Lanna history, the temple is very important. It was Phra Sumon Thera, the monk who initiated the foundation of the Suan Dok Buddhism in Chiang Mai, residence.
The temple was believed to have been built in the beginning of the Mangrai Dynasty as the stone inscription of Wat Phra Yuen, Lamphun (No. 62) had mentioned that in 1369, Phraya Kue Na (1367-1388) invited Phra Somon Thera from Sukhothai to teach Buddhism in Chiang Mai at Wat Suang Dok. The monk stopped by to preach in Lamphun and resided at Wat Phra Yuen before coming to Chiang Mai. During his stay, he found out that the chedi had only one Buddha image bay at the east with a Buddha image in a standing position. He had another three built at the north, south and west making it contain a total of four Buddha images. Therefore, the temple may have got its name for this reason.
Reference
Penth, Hans, Silao Ketphorm and Aphiradi Thechasiriwan. (2003). Inscriptions in the Chiang Mai Province, part 3 Charuk nai chang wat Chiang Mai phak 3(Inscriptions in the Chiang Mai Province, part 3). (in Thai).
Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai University, Social Research Institute.
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