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| Monks at Angkor Wat |
Angkor Wat: A Sacred Home for Monks and History
Angkor Wat is an amazing temple in Cambodia. It's so big and beautiful that people from all over the world come to see it. Built in the 12th century, this temple has a lot of history and is now home to Buddhist monks.
The Temple's Beginnings
King Suryavarman II started building Angkor Wat around 1116 CE. At first, it was a Hindu temple for the god Vishnu. The temple looks like a mountain with five towers. These towers represent Mount Meru, which Hindus and Buddhists believe is where the gods live.
From Hindu to Buddhist Temple
Over time, Angkor Wat changed. In the late 12th century, it became a Buddhist temple. This happened because new kings, like Jayavarman VII, liked Buddhism more than Hinduism. They changed some of the art in the temple to show Buddha instead of Hindu gods.
Monks at Angkor Wat
Today, Buddhist monks live at Angkor Wat. They take care of the temple and pray there. Monks have been at Angkor Wat for a long time. Even in the 17th century, there were small groups of Buddhist monks living near the temple.
The Temple's Design
Angkor Wat is really big. It covers about 400 acres (160 hectares). The temple has three levels with galleries and towers. The towers are shaped like lotus buds. Around the temple, there's a big moat that looks like an ocean.
Angkor Wat in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Angkor Wat gained international fame when it was featured in the movie *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider*, released in 2001. In this action-adventure film starring Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft explores various temples in Cambodia, including Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, which is known for its massive trees entwined with ancient ruins. The film showcased stunning visuals of these historical sites and introduced many viewers to their beauty, significantly boosting tourism in Cambodia[3][4][5].
Angkor Wat Today
Now, Angkor Wat is a place where people come to learn about history and see beautiful art. The monks who live there help keep the temple's spiritual importance alive. They also welcome visitors who want to learn about Buddhism and Cambodian culture.
Angkor Wat is more than just an old building. It's a place where history, religion, and modern life come together. The monks who live there are an important part of keeping this special place alive for future generations.
Citations:
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0XRyiPaZIg
[2] https://www.google.ca/policies/faq
[3] http://twooregonians.com/lara-croft-tomb-raider-temples-at-angkor-wat/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys-ZSmqPa0E
[5] https://movie-locations.com/movies/l/Lara-Croft-Tomb-Raider.php
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6hht08gct0
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2J8CK5EhEY
[8] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAIx6BzI4x7/
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