Cambodian Art (Khmer Art)

Bayon temple

Fisher, pp. 186-195

Term Paper

• Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento (visit Asian Art Gallery by yourself)

• Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (class meets on Saturday March 5th at 1 p.m.), February 19-May 8, 2005

• The Witt Gallery, The tradition Continues: Thai Art from the Past into the Present, April 19- April 28, 2005

• Paper: 4-5 page-long; focus on one or couple of objects; DEADLINE Wednesday April 27, 2005

Angkor Thom (Bayon temple)

• Built during the reign of King Javayarman VII (13th century), Bayon period 1181-1243 (remained the capital city until the 17th century)

• The king had many temples built: Banteay Kdei (for his teacher) in 1181, Ta Phrom (for his mother)in 1186and Pre Khan (for his father) in 1191 and Banteay Chmar (for his sons); founded 102 hospitals throughout the kingdom

• Mahayana Buddhism was the state religion; focus on the Buddha sheltered by naga hoods, Lokesvara, and Prajanaparamita

• The Doctrine of Self Professed by Jayavarmans VII is as much Hindu as it is Buddhist

• His priority was to build a capital that would resemble the capital of Indra

The Bayon temple

• Temple facing East and West direction• It is built in Greek cross plan; the main shrine is circular in shape and

has 12 subsidiary chapels radiating out from it.• There were 49 towers (only 37 are standing); each has four colossal

heads, dominate the four quarters of the world• The main temple is surrounded by rectangular roofed galleries which

are punctuated by towers at the corners and at the center of each side; at ground level, outer closure,, is surrounded by a a gallery with corner pavilions and gopuras

• Between 2nd and 3rd enclosure are 16 large chapels where Buddhist deities were housed.

The Bayon temple

• At the S gate is a bridge that represents the churning of the Sea of Milk; Naga represents rainbow and bridge of heaven; crossing from the world of man to the world of gods

Walls

• Outer walls depicted: historical scenes of war with Chams, and every day life in the kingdom

Lokesvara and Prajnaparamita

• The Central shrine of the Bayon temple sat enthroned the Buddha sheltered by naga hoods--the most popular type of Buddha image during his period

• Lokesvara (Lord of the World), a form of Bodhisattva, symbolizes power of the king (infinite compassion); holds a lotus, a water pot (contains nectar of immortal), a book and a rosary

• Prajnaparamita, Transcendent Buddha of Wisdom (complete wisdom); holds a book and a lotus flower

• Buddhist triad: Buddha sheltered by naga hoods, Loskesvara and Prajnaparamita-most popular during the reign of Jayavarman VII

• Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of healing

Loskesvara

• “O Victorious Lokesvara, living incarnation of the Tree of Paradise” ( Inscription from Preah Khan)

• Cosmic Lokesvara has connection with Siva

• He is the protector and the savior of suffering humanity