Wat Paa Phu Kon is situated in the midst of a densely forested area bordering the three provinces of Udon Thani, Nong Khai and Loei. The area had previously been declared a protected area. With special permission granted by the provincial administration for the creation of a forest park and arboretum on 160 hectares of land within the protected zone, Wat Paa Phu Kon forest monastery was founded.

Phra Buddha Mongkontam, the principle Buddha image in the meditation pose, is housed in the ubosoth or bot, an ordination hall or Buddhist chapel where monks are ordained. Phra Maha Chedi, a stupa adorned with golden mosaic tiles, is perched on a hilltop.

A chedi or stupa was built during the period from 1920 and 1934 (Buddhist era 2463 – 2477) to enshrine a holy footprint (Phra Buddha Bat) situated at the foot of Khao Phu Phan, 10 kms from Ban Phu district. Bua Bok is the Thai name for the Pennywort plant — a plant with lotus-shaped leaves and tuber that thrives in the surrounding forested area. The word ‘b-bok’ also means dry or parched.

The holy footprint and stupa are highly revered by local residents. Annual celebrations to mark Makha Bucha, an important day in the Buddhist lunar calendar, are usually held during March 11-15. Buddhist worshippers make a pilgrimage to the site to pay their respects at the 40-metre tall stupa that houses the holy footprint and a relic of the historical Buddha.

Makha Bucha Day falls on the full moon night of the third lunar month and marks the day Lord Buddha recited the "Ovadha Patimokkha" (Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. Makha Bucha commemorates two separate events that occurred on the same date, but 44 years apart, during the Buddha's lifetime 2,500 years ago. The first event was the unexpected gathering of 1,250 monks from all locations and directions. All of them were Arhanta, the Enlightened One, and each had found their way to the same location, without any prior notification, to meet and be ordained by Lord Buddha.

The second event occurred 44 years later when Lord Buddha delivered his teachings shortly before his death. Both of these events occurred on the day of the full moon of the third lunar month, a month known in the Buddhist Pali language as 'Makha'. The 'Bucha', also a Pali word, means to venerate or to honour. Thus, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.

• Merit-making activities
  Making merit by going to temples to participate in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies. These include making merit by presenting offerings of food and sacred items to monks and novices and making donations to the temple to further Buddhist practice, listening to Dhamma teachings and joining in the other Buddhist activities.
  
  
• Observation of the Five Precepts
  For the average individual, the way to implement the Noble Eightfold Path which leads to liberation from suffering as taught by Lord Buddha is through the observance of ‘Right Speech’ and ‘Right Action’ through the Five Precepts namely — to abstain from killing any living creature; abstain from stealing; abstain from sexual misconduct; abstain from false speech and abstain from alcoholic drinks and other intoxicants.
  
  
• Observation of the Eight Precepts
  The Eight Precepts are observed during a time devoted to intensive practice of Dhamma. Participants spend a number of days on a meditation retreat and wear white robes as they practice the Eight Precepts. In addition to the Five Precepts, participants abstain from all sexual activities and sensual entertainment; refrain from eating after noon and wearing jewellery and other accessories, including cosmetics; and sleep on a hard surface, without the luxury of bedding.
  
  
• 'Wien tien':
  At dusk, worshippers participate in a Buddhist candle-lit procession around the ubosoth, the principle Buddhist chapel of the temple and ordination hall. Each clasps three incense sticks, a lit candle and lotus buds, and circles around the ubosoth in a clockwise direction, three times.

The Luang Phor Naak Buddha image housed at the temple is believed to be sacred. Although the Buddha image has been stolen several times, it was subsequently returned to its original place. A dhamma sanctuary in which scenes of heaven and hell are depicted, and its sacred bathing pool.