Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Ministry seeking modifications to statues of Buddha

Ministry seeking modifications to statues of Buddha

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Buddha statues on Phnom Sampov Mountain in Battambang province are seen earlier this month. FACEBOOK

Ministry seeking modifications to statues of Buddha

The Battambang provincial Department of Cults and Religions is seeking permission for sculptors to make modifications to the Buddha statues which are under construction on the face of Phnom Sampov Mountain after inaccuracies were discovered during a recent inspection.

Department director Kun Sambath Moniroth said on September 12 that the people sponsoring the construction had requested permission to build three statues showing Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and nirvana.

However, he said he had never seen the blueprint and only after a practical examination did he realise that there was a scriptural error in the statue of Buddha’s enlightenment.

“They requested a statue depicting the enlightenment, but when it was built it turned out to be a statue of Siddhartha [Buddha] triumphing over Mara,” he said.

He added that the construction should follow the book “Templates of Buddha Statues in Cambodia” released on September 1, 2014, by the religions ministry and recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Constructing statues of Buddha that are markedly different from the designs approved by the religions ministry could lead the younger generations to misunderstanding the religion and could draw public criticism, he said.

“Firstly, the younger generations who do not have a deep knowledge of Buddhism will not know the exact style of Buddha being portrayed such as an image of his enlightenment. Secondly, the public will criticise the authorities or experts saying they are ignorant,” he said.

A Facebook user named Siv Jing who claimed to be the son of the sculptor said the statue of Buddha triumphing over Mara was commissioned by two Buddhist followers identified as Tang Meng Hun and Sreng Sen.

The duo could not be reached for comment.

Siv Jing said the statute of Buddha triumphing over Mara was meant to be a guardian of peace for the nation and to show that no enemy can persecute Cambodia. Furthermore, he said it was also meant as a symbolic protector of Cambodian children’s health from plagues like Covid-19.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans