BAYON Temple

BAYON “The temple in mini tours”

(Yasokiri) “Honorary Mountain”

Location: Bayon formerly located in enter of Angkor Tom 1500 meters from the south gate.

Access: Enter and leave the temple from the south, north and east entrances.

Date: Late 12^th century to the early 13^th century (1200).

King: Jayavarman 7^th (Mahaparamesangata).

Religion: Buddhism.

Art-style: Bayon.

-Clearance work by Mr. Jean Commaille (1908-1916).

-Restoration by Mr. George Trouvé (1933-1935).

1, Background

Bayon was the favorite temple of the visitors and located in the center of Angkor Tom dating from the reign of king Jayavarman 7^th (1181-1201) but Asia Book (1190-1210). He came to the power after the previous capital was burned by Cham fleet in the year (1177-1181) for 4 years he had first built Bayon temple in the center of Angkor Tom and then built a numerous temples like 102 hospitals 121 rest-homes including water-wells and bonfire and after built a series of outer wall around the city but not built around Bayon. It was a strong construction inlaterite 8 meters high and 12 kilometers in length. Bayon was connected with the city of (Yasodharapuara) dated from 9^th century. Bayon was formerly built on the foundation of an earlier temple but unknown but some structures were enlarged especially the first level and the second level. Bayon was a Buddhist temple but the idea of the (God-King) had lost its meaning. Bayon was dedicating to the Bodhosattva-Avalokitesvara. It was built nearly 100 years after Angkor wat. Bayon was represented to the (Mountain-Meru). It had 54 towers included 5 gate of Angkor Tom each one of which had 4 faces making a total of 216 faces of Bodhisattva-Avalokitesvara which watched out towards all the points of spaces. The temple stood on a high base with 3 levels surrounded by 2 galleries of Bas-reliefs. The first level is (140meters wide by 160 meters long) and its gallery of Bas-reliefs concerning with worshippers of Buddhism. It depicted a teaching vehicle to disseminate the tenets of Buddhism. The gallery was probably covered by the timber-roof but today nothing left. The temple had 2 libraries and one on each side near the corners at the east side of the first level. The second level is (70 meters wide by 80 meters long) with Bas-reliefs depicted the mythical story or Hindu inspiration. The third level comprised 25 meters in diameters and as a base of the main tower (45 or 47 meters high) and it was surrounded by 16 rooms for meditation by the priests or king said (Mr. Paul Muss) Bayon temple was of the kingdom but (Mr. George Soedès) said all the towers are portraits of sovereign the 4 faces of each tower that represented to the 4 Nobel-truth like (Charity Compassion. Sympathy and Equanimity) or the sight of omnipresence and the whole temple is a miniature of the (Khmer Empire). In the central tower they found Royal statue Buddha-King was name (Jaya-pudh-maha-neach) during excavation of 4 meters deep in the year 1933 by Mr. George Trouvé found it broken but would be restored. Then it was delivered to (His Majesty King Sisowath Monivong) the king Cambodia on 17^th of May 1935. By his order it has been kept under a small shelter with timber roof on the right hand side to the east gate of Angkor Tom (victorious gate).

2, the First Level or the First Gallery

*East Gallery (South Part): The workmanship of the Bas-reliefs in the gallery is excellent. It was divided into 3 rows and depicted a military procession with banners and the natural scene (trees animals). The warriors with lances shield are mostly short haircut and some with headdresses suggesting they are Chinese troop. Group of jesters accompany the army in order to encourage the army cavalries are riding on horse. The commanders of the troops are riding in Chariot drawn by horses on the elephants. On the top row we see king Jayavarman 7^th identified by numerous umbrellas riding on an enormous horse flanked by his cavalries and at the back we see a group of palace-women follow the king and a queen is in a rich-decorated sedan chair. On the first row we see the covered-wooden carts of the same style as used today which carry the provisions of food for the military. A crouching woman blows a fire for the cooking-pot. And next a cart was out of order. At the end of this gallery we see the military had attached the water buffalo and knocked down the tree to sacrifice to the god in order to please him and demand for safety and for victory in fighting. A tiered wooden building with people suggests either a shop or a restaurant. The headdresses the clothing and objects hanging from the ceiling suggest that the people inside the building are Chinese.

*Southeast Corner-Pavilion: The carving in this area was not finished. The scenes include a wooden palace with 2 levels. A statue of Buddha has been altered to represent a Liga after the temple became Hinduism under the later king.

*South Gallery (East Part): This gallery depicted the navel-battle in the year 1177 between the Khmers and the Chams their neighboring enemies from southeast Vietnam. Khmers soldiers without headdresses but Chams fleet with headdresses resembled and inverted lotus. The prows are richly decorated with rowers and the warriors carried lances and some snapped by crocodiles.

-On the lower part: Shows us the scenes of daily life a long the shores of Tonlé Sap lake (opening fire hunting attached by wild animals a lady is removing lice and others are playing with their children). Next a queen in a palace and another is in her labor which is a scene of childbirth assisted by a mid-wife in the maternity at the end we see a hunter is ready to kill a water buffalo by pulling his crossbow Market scene rooster fight surrounded by the gamblers fishmongers.

-The upper Part: The fishermen took the boats were dropping their fishing-net into the water chess-players wrestlers’ wild-boar fight. The king getting the possession of his palace by the ritual ceremony of crowning at the end of the gallery we can see the pig slaughter-house the slaughterer puts a pig into the caldron-water women cooked the fomented rice-noodles the carpenters cut the wood to carry the stone black-smith pounds iron.

*The Second Part of the South Gallery (West part)

Depicted a military procession and the main point of interest is weapon of war used by the Khmers soldiers such as a large crossbow slingshot lance and shield. The commanders rode on the elephants flanked by their cavalry infantry and archery. Some parts of the upper row of the gallery are probably incomplete.

-West Gallery (South Part): Depicted the warriors and their chiefs were riding on elephants pass through the mountains and the forests At the Center there is a priest tries to escape from the attack of a tiger by climbing a tree Upper Part depicted the method used for the constructing temples such as grinding polishing sandstone.

*The Second Part of the West Gallery (North Part)

The scene with crowds of men and women are threatening others armed and ready for battle. An inscription which engraved under a shrimp say (The king follows those vanquished in hiding). Beyond The Door: Depicted the king who was carrying a royal bow on the way to the mountain and forest where he will meditate before celebrating the consecration of the (Sacred Rite of Indra).

-North Gallery (west Part): In the first part of this gallery only the lower part of the wall has Bas-reliefs and some of them are incomplete. The first row depicted the circus-jugglers acrobats and wrestlers’ horse racing forming a public merriment (Said, Mr. George Soedès). The king presides over the scene of daily life. An animated procession of various animals (Rhinoceros rabbit deer lobster…) is notable. At the end of the gallery we see the priests meditate in the forest and on the bank of the river here is a group of women receive gifts.

*The Second Part of the North Gallery (East Part)

The whole wall of this gallery is almost fallen to pieces except 2 ends where we can find the same enemies. They are Chams coming from the west but the Khmers try to escape from being killed or captured and rushing to the mountain without opposing against them.

-Northeast Pavilion: Depicted the scenes of procession of the Khmer-warriors on the elephants without any interest. In this pavilion we see a beautiful-circular pedestal from the 10^th century.

-East Gallery (North Part: Depicted the battle between the Khmers & Chams continued and at the center of the gallery we see the battle reaches a climax of action the elephants seem to be participating in the battle. An elephant tries to curl his trunk and tries to tear out the tusk of an opposing elephant. At the end of the fight the Khmers gained control of the battle.

*The Second Level or the Second Gallery

-East Gallery (South Part):

1, (Between 2 towers) on the right depicted the priests and animals in the forest and mountain. 2, (small room on the right-hand side) it depicted the king in this palace with hermits.

3, Upper Part Scene of rural hunting with lively animals. The Apsaras are flying in the sky.

-Lower Gallery: Depicted a military procession this carving has a strange feature of the Khmers and Chams A man who stands on the elephant preceded by a coffer (box).

-Southeast Corner-pavilion: Depicted the warriors march in procession led by their commander who rides on the elephant.

*South Gallery (East Part)

1, This gallery depicted a military procession and the warriors. Some scenes depicted every-day life. A man climbs a coconut palm Garuda and the giant fish at the base of the Mountain Meru where the priests and animals lived and also depicted a fight between 2 high-ranking officers.

2, (Small room) A fight between a ruler and animal possibly a lion. On the left hand side a hunter holds an elephant by the hind-leg (back-leg).

3, (Between 2 towers on the left wall) A procession of warriors. From the left to the right a scene of combat between a prince and his army and a scene of a palace and a procession of musicians. Lower tier a fisherman is in a boat throws his fishing-net into the water while a price watches the action. The Apsaras are flying over the head.

4, (Between 2 towers from right is in poor condition). Facing a god standing on a lotus flower that introduces the legends of god (Pra-dym-na) son of Krishna hurled into the sea by the demon (Cambara). The Child was snapped by a fish and caught later in a net of a fisherman and he offered into Cambana. Well! In cutting the cook found Pra-dym-na in another name (Kama) “god of love”. A maidservant of Cambara (Mayavati) is incarnation of (Rati) spouse of Kama who emerged from the hideout and killed Cambara (Mr. George Soedès). Left hand side god Siva is Carrying a trident. And Upper-part we see Apsaras dance accompanied by an orchestra.

5, (Small room from right hand side at the bottom) Depicted a scene of every-say lift. Upper-part god (Vishnu) with 4 arms was walking towards god (Siva) who carrying a trident.

-The Second Part of the South Gallery (West Part)

Depicted a mountain with wild animals and a tiger devouring a man princesses walking amidst a group of Apsaras dancing on the lotus flower. Upper-part god Siva in his celestial palace surrounded by his devotees. And there are hermits animals along the river. A tiger followed a priest and the other devotees conversed in the palace several worshippers prostrated before the god. The Central part god Vishnu with 4 arms is standing near a pool and surrounded by flying Apsaras pay tribute to him.

*West Gallery (south Part)

1, On the right hand side. The ladies in the palace the hall is empty. God Vishnu with 4 arms is holding his attributes standing on the Garuda and subduing and army of Asuras who tried to harass the people (Mr. George Soedès).

2, (Small room) Depicted a palace with Apsaras dancing accompanied by an orchestra. And the Upper-part mentioned about the dancers and battle.

3, (Between 2 towers on the right-hand side) Depicted god Vishnu with 4 arms superimposed on the scenes of the construction of the temple-workers pulling a block of stone polishing stone hoisting blocks of sand stone into place 2 people are plying chess in a boat and a cockfight. Left-hand side god Siva in a palace with god Vishnu on his right-hand side and the priests meditating in the grotto and swimming amongst the lotus flowers and a bird holds a fish in its mouth.

4, (Beyond the Center of the West Gallery) The procession of the warriors on the horse back with 2 rulers sitting in the chariots pulled by horses.

5, (Small room from the right-hand side) A palace scene with people who are conversing and all the dressmakers are dressing the young princesses.

*The Second Part of the West Gallery (North Part)

It depicted (The Churning the Ocean of Milk) between the demons and the gods. The demons hold the body of the snake on the side of the head the gods on the side of the tail and a monkey-god called (Chum-pu-pieno) tickled the snake. At the Center god (Vishnu) with 4 arms was a referee over it and the mountain Mandara used as a pivot a turtle (Kuma) as a base for the mountain the snake (Vasuki) used as a large rope to stir the water. The Upper-part we see (The Sun and the moon) and other gods on the birds wanted to pacify the fight.

-Northwest Pavilion: In this pavilion depicted the procession of the warriors their commanders are on the elephants.

-North Gallery (west Part)

1, Depicted the scene of the palace. A procession of the servants with offering to the mountain where inhabited by the wild animals elephants rhinoceros serpents. One boat carried the men with short-cropped hair and a chief with a trident and another boat carried men with headdresses of an inverted lotus-flower.

2, (Small room) Depicted god Siva with 10 arms dancing to the tune of (Tandavas) (the rhythm of the Universe) with Apsaras are flying in the sky. God Vishnu (on the right-hand side) and god Brahma with 4 faces (on the left-hand side) with “Ganesa” (on the right-hand side) and “Rahu” [On The Side of the Wall god Siva site between 2 gods (Vishnu & Brahma) and the upper part is concerning with a wild boar].

3, (between 2 towers).On the right-hand side god Siva is surrounded by hermits and women and the sacred bull (Nandin). [Facing the hermits meditated on the mountain]. Kama (god of love) shoots an arrow at Siva who is meditating on the top of the mountain (Kailasa) with his wife (Parvati).

4, (Between 2 towers).From the right-hand side god Siva on the bull (Nandin) with his wife (Uma) who sitting on his lap and next we see king of (Naga) with multiple heads.

-Lower Part Apsaras are dancing and also depicted the episode of the Indian (The Mahabharata Story) is concerning with god (Siva & Arjuna). Siva disguised as (Kirata) in order to kill a wild boar that is a manifestation of the demon (Raksasakmuka). Each claimed that he had killed it Siva made him realize and he submitted and then Siva gave (Arjuna) a lance called (pasupata) “George Soedès”. On the left of door depicted (Ravana) shakes (The Mountain Kailasa).

-The Second Part of the North Gallery (East Part)

The attendants are bringing the offering and we see the figures of god Vishnu and Lakshni and god Siva who blessing his devotees. *Upper part Apsaras flying in the sky. A king led a procession followed by his army with short-cropped hair and the musicians’ horses. *Next part Are the princesses in the sedan chairs and a cart yoked by the bulls. The king is standing in his chariot with 6 wheels on coming out of his palace.

-Northeast Corner-Pavilion

Depicted a military procession into the battlefield in order fight against their enemy.

-East Gallery (North Part)

Depicted a military procession with musicians infantries flaked by horsemen and a chariot yoked by horses another chariot with 6 wheels drawn by the sacred geese they celebrated (The Ark of the Sacred Fire) next we see an empty throne and the king was carrying a bow and rode on the elephant follow by 2 other chiefs.

1, (Small room after the door) Depicted a king implored (to ask for) (God Siva) the favor before going into the battlefield. Next we see 2 boats surrounded by fish in pond. The Apsaras as birds are flying in the sky.

2, (Between 2 towers) depicted the legend of (The Leper-King) by Mr. Victor Goloubew said (A king is in his palace near to his spouses and servants and dancers. He fought against the snake. The snake vomited his mortal venom on the king and he contracted leprosy. The king sits in his palace and gives royal orders to his servants who descend the steps to consult a hermit-doctor in the forest. The king lies on the floor at the side of the hermit-dortor.

(Writing by kealy e-mail: kealy.driver@gmail.com)