Wat Aranyawiwake is located in the shady forest. There is wide territory but The obvious is the cleanliness around the temple area, hardly see the fallen leaves on the ground. This is a temple that is famous for the practice of mind development by following Dhamma.
In the past, Wat Aranyawiwake was originally an old monastic residence, established by group of peoples from various families in Intakhil Subdistrict, Maetang District,Chiangmai Province. They all have deep interest and faith in Buddhism. They resolved to seek and invite virtuous monks, who were meditation masters, to reside in the village in order for them to hear the teaching of the Buddha.
Later on, they heard of a monk who practiced meditation and was stopping by at Wat Gniew in Maetang District, so they invited the venerable Acariya Mun Bhuridatta. His venerable Luang Puu Mun accepted the invitation and gathered a group of faithful disciples, to seek an appropriate place for practice of meditation. They searched for 4 days and his venerable Luang Puu Mun found this place.
Upon the end of the Buddhist Lent, his venerable Luang Puu Mun and the disciples decided to leave the place to continue their austere practice. His venerable Luang Puu Mun told the faithful followers, who attended him in Banpong ,that he had named this place “Aranyawiwake monastic residence”.
The name of this monastic residence “Aranyawiwake” was given by Luang Puu Mun. Many masters of meditation have resided here during Buddhist Lent. For example, Luang Puu kao of Wat Tamklongpane from Udonthani Province, Luang Puu Tate Tate-rangsi of Wat Hinmarkpeng from Nongkai Province, Luang Puu Chorb Thanasamo of Wat Pah Sammanusorn from Loei Province, Luang Puu Tuer Arjaladhammo, Luang Puu Prom jirapoonyo from Udonthani Province, Luang Puu Kamsaen from Chiang Mai Province, Luang Puu Kong from Chiang Mai Province and Luang Puu Kam-aai, from Chiang Mai Province.
Around the year 1952, Luang Puu Waen Sujinno returned to reside here during the Buddhist Lent for 10 consecutive years. Then, Luang Puu Tuer Arjaladhammo, Luang Puu Saam Akinjano, Luang Puu Kam-aai Thitadhammo used to stay together here during the Buddhist Lent for 3 years. Upon the end of the Buddhist Lent, they each left for austere practice. It is difficult to find monks or novices to reside here so the place was left empty. There was only an old assembly hall that later was in a state of decay.
Later on, Luang Por Plien Panyapatipo, the disciple of Luang Puu Prom, Luang Puu Waen, Luang Puu Tuer, on his austere practice, stayed here in 1966 and has since resided in this place until now.