Cambodia Angkor Wat Cambodia Angkor old kingdom 7

Cambodia Angkor Wat

Cambodia • Angkor: old kingdom (7 th-13 th centuries) • Capital city: Phnom Penn • Religion: Hinduism (7 th-12 th centuries), Mahayana Buddhism (12 th-14 th centuries); Theravada Buddhism (15 th-present) • Khmer ethnic • Mon-Khmer language

Hinduism • Polytheistic religion (worship many gods and goddesses) • Goal is to achieve moksa--by praying, worshipping (darsana) and giving offering to gods • Each god has a female companion and rides on vehicle such as bull (Nandi), lion, goose; each holds some attributes (Siva: tridents and Vishnu: conch shell and wheel)

Triad • Brahma-God of Creator • Vishnu-God of Preserver (has many incarnations such as Rama and Krishna) • Shiva-God of Destroyer (also the protector of animals) • Devi-goddess (e. g. , Laksmi (“Good Fortune”) and Parvati); symbolizing beauty, benevolent, and wealth as well as power and wrath

3. 29 Angkor Wat, early 12 th century

Angkor Wat • King Suryavarman II (c. 1112 -1150 CE) • Hindu temple, facing West (direction of death), associates with Vishnu • It symbolizes the center of the universe, Mount Meru • The moat symbolizes the oceans surrounding the earth • The succession of concentric galleries represent the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru • The towers (Gopura) represent the mountain’s peaks • It was converted to Theravada temple in the 15 th century

King Suryarvarman II, c. 1112 -1150

Plan • Square shape with cruciform cloister • Enter on the West side through the causeway • Made of sandstone; foundation was made of laterite • Upper level carries five towers and surrounding galleries • The summit is enclosed by continuous gallery (60 m square); the center shrine tower is 42 m high.

Library

Gallery and main towers

Apsaras (celestrial beings)

Apsaras

Lotus motif

Upper towers

Main tower

Vishnu

Interior • sculpture: 8 arm Vishnu may have been located in the main sanctuary • Interior decorated with bas-relief • Themes: Ramayana and Mahabartha epics • Historic procession of King Suryavarman II and court • The West and East sides depicted the Heavens and Hells • Apsaras (celestial beings): approximately 2000

Suryavarman II

Vishnu and Garuda

The Judgement of Yama, God of Dead and the Underworld

Battle scene

The Churning of the Sea of Milk • • Story taken from the Bhagavata-Purana Gods and demons (asuras) Naga Vasuki used as a robe for the churning Produce the amrita, the elixir of immortality

Gods

The Churning of the Sea of Milk, E gallery

Demons

Syam khuk