The History of Wat Si Bun Ruang The ordination hall of Wat Si Bun Ruang began its construction in 1957 (B.E. 2500) and was completed in 1966 (B.E. 2509). It received royal endorsement for the boundary marking in 1970 (B.E. 2513). At that time, Phra Widhun Thamma Porn was the abbot of the temple. Initially, the temple occupied an area of 5 rai, 1 ngan, and 76 square wah. In 1947 (B.E. 2490), the government constructed the Samran Chai Khong road, which divided the land of Wat Si Bun Ruang into two plots. One plot adjacent to the Mekong River serves as the monastic land of the temple today, while the second plot, located to the west of Samran Chai Khong Road, is the site of the current Wat Si Bun Ruang. In 1983 (B.E. 2526), community members of Si Bun Ruang and merchants from Mukdahan market generously donated funds to purchase an additional 2 ngan and 92.4 square wah of land for expanding the temple. A generous supporter also contributed a plot of land near the Mukdahan-Dontal Road, about 1.5 kilometers from the Mukdahan Provincial Hall, making it accessible for Buddhist practitioners. Currently, Wat Si Bun Ruang is undergoing development, restoration, and expansion based on accounts from the elders and credible documents. It is believed that the temple was established around the same period as the founding of Mukdahan city (circa 1767-1774). It served as a resting place for wandering monks during a time when there were few monks residing in the area. As a result, the temple continuously served as a shelter for these monks. Around 1775, Phra Ya Chan Si Uparaja (Chao Kinree), the first governor of Mukdahan and the founder of the temple, invited nobles, officials, and community members to renovate the temple to make it suitable as a residence for monks. They collaboratively built the ordination hall in the front of the temple. Once completed, it was named Wat Si Bun Ruang. During the renovation and establishment of the head temple (Wat Sri Mongkhon Tai), it was deemed necessary to create a temple at the rear of the city (Wat Si Bun Ruang) to provide more opportunities for the public to worship. Interestingly, the ordination hall built by Chao Kinree faced north, while the new hall faces east or west. This orientation was purposeful; he wanted it to commemorate himself. As a northern man who had to leave his homeland, he designed the hall to face north as a personal remembrance. Upon completing the hall, he instructed the villagers of Si Bun Ruang to arrange flowers, incense, and candles to invite the Phra Buddha Singh Song from Wat Sri Mongkhon Tai to take residence as the principal Buddha statue in the newly built ordination hall. The statue of Phra Buddha Singh Song is a renowned northern Buddha image, revered by Chao Kinree, who wished to honor it in his constructed hall. The inner walls of the ordination hall are adorned with beautifully colorful paintings depicting the history of the Buddha, while the outer walls feature portrayals of hell and heaven. The artistic craftsmanship of these works is highly valued. Unfortunately, the ordination hall has deteriorated over time, and today, we can only witness the ruins and the foundations of the once splendid structure. Phra Buddha Singh Song, a Buddha statue from the Chiang Saen period, has consistently been considered the principal icon of the temple. The local community, particularly those from Si Bun Ruang and Mukdahan, have long regarded Phra Buddha Singh Song as a source of spiritual support. During the Songkran Festival in Mukdahan district, the people perform a ceremony to transport the Phra Buddha Singh Song from the ordination hall of Wat Si Bun Ruang to parade around the city and place it on a platform for public water sprinkling each year.