New Discovery from Ta Prohm Temple

By Ven Sophorn

The unique beauty of this temple, known as " tree-temple" , it intertwines between a gigantic tree's roots and  free standing tower of Ta Prohm temple. Beyond of that, it bears a wonderful history and culture in the reign of King Jayavarman VII (late 12th-early 13th century AD).
According to Ta Prohm's inscription, Rajavihara (original name of Ta Prohm temple) was built by King Jayavarman in 1186, dedicating to his mother in form of Prajnaparamita (goddess of wisdom) in Mahayana Buddhism. Moreover, he erected many images of divinities in the temple's shrines.

In facts, on 20 September 2011, the two big Seated Buddha in meditation, sheltered by the Naga were discovered, at Ta prohm's Nata Mandir (dancing hall), by Apsara-Archaeologists: Ven Sophorn, Hou Nolamony, Phoeung Dara and Moul Komnith, incorporated with ASI's team: led by Ds.Sood.

Technical observation,one of them, looks quite similar to the one which french scholar found in the central tower of Bayon temple in 1933 (that is a huge seated Buddha in meditation, sheltered by the Naga; 3.6 meter tall).