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Cambodia. Angkor Wat. Cambodia. Angkor: old kingdom (7th-13th centuries) Capital city: Phnom Penn Religion: Hinduism (7th-12th centuries), Mahayana Buddhism (12th-14th centuries); Theravada Buddhism (15th-present) Khmer ethnic Mon-Khmer language. Hinduism.
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Cambodia Angkor Wat
Cambodia • Angkor: old kingdom (7th-13th centuries) • Capital city: Phnom Penn • Religion: Hinduism (7th-12th centuries), Mahayana Buddhism (12th-14th centuries); Theravada Buddhism (15th-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
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 15th century
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 (60m square); the center shrine tower is 42m high.
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
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