Visiting monasteries, and temples, in Cambodia is a beautiful thing. Not only because of learning about the religions, but also because of the beauty of the buildings themselves.
First there are the halls, the areas around the outside of the monasteries, complete with ornate windows, tiled floors, decorated pillars, and the greenery beyond. The first two pictures are from the beautiful Wat Bo, one of Siem Reap’s oldest temples.
I participated in a talk on Buddhism with a monk, and received a blessing, filled with chanting, water splashing, and good wishes, at the monastery above near the Rolous Temple Group.
The story of Buddha, as well as other historical and religious scenes, adorns long walls, including the older painted wall from the grounds of the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh. And the newer painted wall at the Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, a place that propagates the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) and provides lodging for monks, located near the Psar Chaa area of Siem Reap.
Floors represent a rainbow of colorful tiles. Most of these photos were taken at the Preah Prohm Rath Monastery, and one is from Wat Bo.
Not only are walls painted with story of Buddha, but so to are the ceilings from Wat Ek Phnom near Battambang, a popular location for picnics and pilgrimages.
And some ceilings are decorated with various shapes and colors of hanging ornaments and flags, which I believe are used as offerings, such as at this temple in the floating fishing village of Kompong Phluk.
In Cambodia, in addition to balconies, windows, and doors, there are beautiful halls, walls, ceilings, and floors.
Sweet Travels!