Buddhist monks are swiping used coffins and repurposing them as benches - instead of cremating them with their owners.

Religious leader Phra Thanaphat Khantitharo said he felt awful watching valuable teak wood being burned during funerals at the Samrong Nuea Temple in Samut Prakan, Thailand.

The creative monk said he asked one family if he could use the base of the hardwood coffin for one of his ideas. They then removed the wooden base part of the coffin before their relative was placed in the oven.

Footage shows how the monk has now built six sturdy benches in the temple's courtyard that visitors can relax on.

However, he said that some worshippers have been afraid to sit on the caskets as they feel uneasy and fear that the previous inhabitants are looking over them.

The monk said: 'I would always deeply regret burning the coffins made of valuable teak, so I asked families for the base of the coffins.

'At first, the sight of the coffins scared the temple visitors and stopped people from relaxing. But as more were being installed, people started to sit on them.

'By focusing on the function of the seats rather than their origins, people can overcome their fear and embrace relaxation.

'In the afternoon, visitors will gather to chat and lie down on a wooden bench, overlooking what it was originally made of.'

Visitor Jane Alakul said: 'I asked the monk whether it's safe to sit on the coffins. I was scared the spirit of its owner would follow me home.

'I'm not afraid of sitting on the new seats in the morning. But once the sun goes down, you won't see me near the temple.'


SUBTITLES

0.41- 0.44 : Firstly, the base of the coffins we use for the benches are made of teak wood

0.44 - 1.03 : While many coffins were crafted from bagasse, some were made with teak. I would always deeply regret burning the coffins made of valuable teak, so I asked families for the base of the coffins

1.03 - 1.11 : After acquiring the coffin bases, I consulted with fellow monks about their potential use. They suggested repurposing them as seats

1.11 - 1.15 However, I raised concerns about whether believers would feel comfortable sitting on them

1.15 - 1.28 : As Buddhists, they might remain conscious of their origins and potentially attract spirits

1.28 - 1.37 : Several of our followers inquired about the bases, and I reassured them that they could sit or lie on them without overthinking. I suggested they perceive the bases simply as seats rather than dwell on their origins as coffin bases

1.37 - 1.46 : Initially, there was only one of the coffin bases, as I hesitated to bring more to the riverside, fearing it might unsettle people

1.46 - 1.58 : I waited until I had acquired six of the coffin bases and then repurposed them into benches. People can now comfortably sit, lie down, or even eat food on them

1.58 - 2.08 Nowadays, during lunchtime, some workers are lying on the seats in front of the Ganesha statue during the factory's break, as there are shaded areas available

2.08 - 2.19 In the evening, some people enjoy eating food or snacks while seated on these seats, enjoying the view of the river

2.19 - 2.26 : No one told me that they were sitting on the seats and claiming to have been followed by ghosts

2.26 - 2.48 : People who choose to sit on them must view them solely as seats, as many people who pass by are hesitant to sit on them. Additionally, we have stone and metal benches available as alternatives

2.48 - 3.04 As I am not a monk residing in this temple but rather in Nakhon Pathom, I have shared the concept of these coffin seats with monks there. We are planning to produce more of them and aim to install them at other temples there

3.04 - 3.16 Currently, these seats do not have backrests, but I am considering upgrading them to include one. However, finding teak wood has proven to be a challenge

3.16 - 3.27 I considered raising these seats and adding a backrest to make them more appealing, especially since they were too short in their current state

3.27 -3.38 Firstly, there are some things that we might not perceive as valuable, but they hold significance in the eyes of others

3.38 - 3.49 Secondly, I hope to encourage people not to judge things solely by their appearance, as they may not always be what they seem

3.49 - 3.57 For instance, while we initially saw coffins or their bases, once transformed, they should not be viewed as such

3.57 - 4.13 I am certain that if we view them simply as seats, our minds won't be preoccupied with concerns about attracting spirits