Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap province has been displaying the right Buddha Footprint statue for the public who wishes to research, study, and understand important information about religion, art, and history with events that took place more than 600-700 years ago in the Angkor area.
The right Buddha Footprint statue has been exhibiting at the museum, located in Boeung Don Pa village, Sangkat Slor Kram, Siem Reap provincial city, for almost a year, since May 2022, according to the APSARA National Authority.
Kun Phally, head of the exhibition team and guide at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum, said that the ancient sandstone Buddha Footprint was carved between the 14th and 16th centuries AD. It weighs about three tonnes and is 2.10 metres long, 1.15 metres wide, and 31 centimetres high.
He added that the Buddha Footprint statue had been painted in black, red, and gold.
Studies show that in the past, the Buddha Footprint statue was considered by the Cambodian people an important object of worship for Theravada Buddhism and was kept at Angkor Wat in Thousand Buddha Gallary from the 14th century until 1985. Later, the sandstone Buddha Footprint was taken to be preserved and restored by the Angkor Conservation Team. Then, Dr Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, and President of the Board of APSARA National Authority visited the Angkor Conservation. Seeing that the Buddha Footprint statue had already been repaired, she instructed the conservation team to bring this object to display for the public to learn about Khmer art, especially the post-Angkorian Buddha statues.
Kun Phally said that in the centre of the Buddha Footprint statue, there are 108 different carvings, considered to be happiness. AKP-C.Nika
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