'Thousand Buddhas' carved sandstone pillar on display in Siem Reap

• Published date: 11 March 2023
• Publication title: The Phnom Penh Post

A large pillar with images of Buddha decorating it is being displayed at Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap province. The rare Khmer artefact is available for the public, students and researchers to view.

The pillar is in the Bayon style and was probably created during the late 12th century. The sandstone pillar was nicknamed "Thousand Buddhas", according to Voeun Vibol Sokhom, a tour guide at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum.

Sokhom said that the special feature of this sandstone pillar is the 1008 small images of Buddha carved into its four sides representing the happiness of the universe.

He added that there are currently two types of religious sculpture found in Cambodia, the first is artwork like that found on the Thousand Buddhas pillar. The other type is artwork from Brahmanism with images of Vishnu like...