Buddha of Vihear Preah Ath Roes—Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Buddhist Temples and Public Shrines on Waymarking.com

The Buddha (Siddhattha Gotama) was born an Indian (Nepal) prince, ~6th or 5th century BCE. He was destined to bring enlightenment to the world, but his father, desirous of preventing this and to ensure that his son became a great and powerful king, allowed the young man to see nothing of the evils of the world, however, when the true nature of human suffering became apparent the future Buddha abandoned his royal life and sought a life of poverty. After many trials and tribulations the Buddha began teaching that a life free from desire was the means to achieve true happiness. He is considered to be an enlightened one, free from the endless cycle of rebirth. His teachings have spread throughout Asia, and to a wider audience around the world.

information from wikipedia and several other online sources.


Statues of the Buddha are not in short supply in south east Asia, however, I decided to specifically note this as it has a prominent history, and can be seen as a sign of Cambodian social renewal.

The Buddha image is located in the temple of Vihear Preah Ath Roes. This temple was constructed at the order of the Cambodian King Sisowath in 1911 atop a hill named Phnom Preah Reach Throap. In turn this hill is part of the Udong mountain site that contains a host of cultural and Buddhist sites. It is also a popular weekend get a way area for Phnom Penh residents.

The hill had already had a long history, in the 16th century, for example, legend has it that the then Cambodian King buried the royal treasure here to keep it out of the hands of the invading Thais. Thus the hill is known as (Hill of the Royal Fortune).

This pagoda and Buddha survived through the decades until the 1970s, when the US began a bombing campaign of Cambodia, which damaged the pagoda and Buddha. Then in 1977 the Kymer Rouge destroyed what remained, leaving only debris. Beginning in 2005 the temple and the Buddha are both being restored. As at 2011 much progress had been made, but there is still a lot of work to do.

Open to visitors?: Yes Photography Permitted Inside?: Yes Statue of the Buddha present?: Yes Related Website: Not listed

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