Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

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Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

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Cambodia News (Battambang Province): Different provincial departments cooperated with the provincial authorities to have several sculptures of Buddha carved on the Sampov mountain, as the popularity of this natural site increases. The project was started in 2012.
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Around 9 years later, now that the sculptures are at their finishing stages, the authorities have just realized that the sculptures were not sculpted in accordance with the initial blueprint topic. The original blueprint was designed to sculpt the Buddha of Enlightenment, however, the actual sculptures show the scene of Buddha defeating the force of demon (Mara), before enlightenment.
The construction has been halted due to this mistake made by the contractors.
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Anchor Moy
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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by Anchor Moy »

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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by John Bingham »

The original blueprint was designed to sculpt the Buddha of Enlightenment, however, the actual sculptures show the scene of Buddha defeating the force of demon (Mara), before enlightenment.
I don't see what they mean.
Silence, exile, and cunning.
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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by Clutch Cargo »

Whether they got the blueprint wrong or not, this looks very impressive.
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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by AndyKK »

Anchor Moy wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:45 pm Same one ?
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general-chatter/foreigner-causes-offens ... 19578.html
This is the one on the left hand side of the bat cave, I had seen it only like you have posted. Many people have been in trouble for doing what is pictured, sitting on the Buddha statue, the head is is very sacred.
Always "hope" but never "expect".
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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by General Mackevili »

AndyKK wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:08 pm
Anchor Moy wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:45 pm Same one ?
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general-chatter/foreigner-causes-offens ... 19578.html
This is the one on the left hand side of the bat cave, I had seen it only like you have posted. Many people have been in trouble for doing what is pictured, sitting on the Buddha statue, the head is is very sacred.
That all looks like it's right near the bat cave (main entrance). A shame they won't finish it, it was like the Cambodian Mount Rushmore.

Here's some pics I snapped there last year, aiming for the bats though:

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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by Freightdog »

The construction has been halted due to this mistake made by the contractors
Well, it’s taken some 9 years to notice the cockup, and equally, it’s taken 9 years to get this far. It’s not like they can rub it out and start again. Or the masonry equivalent of chiselling it all off. The Taliban approach to such art being a little too extreme.
It does raise the question of how they’ve managed this, but surely they may as well just finish it?


Of course, the sneaky thing now might be to withhold final instalment until it has been finished. :facepalm:
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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by Samana Johann »

Nothing really wrong with what ever gesture of the Sublime one. Maybe someone got not so good informed and fears wrong. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iconogr ... d_Thailand (many things are of course national traditions, but most all well in frame)

And, as caved, it wouldn't be possible to change. Nice work, btw., although good and happiness is a matter of ones own deeds and not a matter of 'matter', form. May it foster faith and may it not foster attachment to body, form (actually the Sublime Buddha was not happy about making images, since people are strong attached to body, gave instead Bodhi-tree and Chedi as proper places for increasing faith by Buddhanusati, reflection on the perfect Enlightened one). Body, form, mostly gets subject to trade and conflicts.
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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by Yobbo »

Anchor Moy wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:45 pm Same one ?
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general-chatter/foreigner-causes-offens ... 19578.html
Seems to be weeping blood & has a split left temple.
Considering the close proximity to the killing caves it's as if reminding us of the souls within that mountain.
Maybe the scaffold should come down & the statue left as it is.
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Re: Buddha Statue Construction Halted After 9 Years

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

Samana Johann wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 8:38 am , btw., although good and happiness is a matter of ones own deeds and not a matter of 'matter', form. May it foster faith and may it not foster attachment to body, form (actually the Sublime Buddha was not happy about making images, since people are strong attached to body, gave instead Bodhi-tree and Chedi as proper places for increasing faith by Buddhanusati, reflection on the perfect Enlightened one). Body, form, mostly gets subject to trade and conflicts.
Thanks Samana.
I "renounced" my Buddhism when i saw how off-track the faith/philosophy is in Cambodia. In my view.
What's the point in calling, or regarding, myself as a buddhist when everybody else all around me including the monks and institution regard it in a totally different way.
I am thinking particularly of Buddha's deification here. I'm talking about everybody going to the Wat to pray for money, success and miracle cures.
I'm talking about the highest monks facilitating KR mass murderers to end their days in perfect peace - and forgetfulness.
And for the oppressors to just "pay a fine" ie a fat donation - or taking the head monk for a holiday in Koh Kong in the Merc. (every week i see the head monks from all over Cambodia with their shit-eating grinning Rich and Powerful benefactor soaking up the the sights - with their soulful smiles in perfect harmony.

Please don't get all post-modern about this. "Ah whatever... karma will deal with them as it does with everybody" just doesn't cut it.
The Sanga is a huge re-enforcer of an attitude that lets these bastards get away with anything.
"Suck eggs with a smile, Peasants. We learned monks certainly ain't going to rock the boat and call all this waywardness out."

Sorry Loak, i realise this is spoken without "dispassion". i offer you the highest respect by being perfectly honest instead of just putting on my sweet smile and being "nice".
highest regards
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