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Students learn to:
use a range of sources and the site of Angkor as an historical source, describe what it reveals about Angkor/Khmer life and culture - including, Religion.
Early Beliefs
Early Beliefs
The Khmer peoples earliest religious beliefs were centered on the spirits they believed lived in the mountains, rivers and other features of the landscape around them. Eventually, trade brought people into contact with the Hindu and Buddhist religions at the same time'.
Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism holds beliefs in many Gods. The early Khmer kings, starting with Jayavarman II practised Hinduism, worshipping the God Shiva and also Vishnu and the Khmer kings claimed they were God-kings.
Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism also began to be introduced overtime, and during the reign of Jayavarman V (968 - 1000) it was said to be practised in many religious ceremonies. Jayarvarman V was accepting of Buddhism as a faith, even though he himself was devoted to Shiva. Jayavarman VII (1125-1218) believed in the form of Buddhism known as Mahayana Buddhism. This was the most influential religion in the Khmer Empire until the 14th century, where Theravada Buddhism took over. Buddhists main belief is that of reaching Nirvana. Nirvana is a mindful state, where one is truly free from their own individual needs, desires and suffering that takes place. The term 'Buddha' is only given to a person once they have reached Nirvana. There are many famous historical people that have achieved the name Buddha.
IMPORTANCE OF BUDDHISM TO THE KHMER EMPIRE - SOURCE
IMPORTANCE OF BUDDHISM TO THE KHMER EMPIRE - SOURCE
'Theravada Buddhism became popular among all groups in Khmer society. As it became more and more popular, Theravada Buddhism weakened the kings’ powers and prevented them from continuing their lavish lifestyles, constructing grand buildings and demanding people’s labour.' (Anderson, M.,Keese, I. & Low, A. (2013). Retroactive : Stage 4 The Ancient World to the Modern World, Chapter 5a The Angkor/Khmer empire, Sydney: Jacaranda)
Interesting Fact
Interesting Fact
While Buddhists have no gods, the Khmer kings who adopted and embraced Mahayana Buddhism and for a while, Theravada Buddhism, still declared themselves as God-kings!
ACTIVITY ONE
Class Discussion question:
If the Khmer Empire adopted Buddhism which had no Gods, do you think the Khmer kings should still have called themselves God-Kings?
After you discuss this as a class, write two-three sentences answering this same question. Yes, No, a different option? Why?
Religious Texts
Religious Texts
As a further result of the Indianisation of the Khmer Empire, the Khmer took on two epic poems of India, traditionally associated with Hinduism. These were:
Ramayana - a love story where a king goes to war to free his wife from another king. This text instructs people in the duties that make up the ‘ideal’ behaviour for a range of roles including those of king, father, soldier and servant.
Mahabharata - A poem detailing a war by competing kings, to see who was to be the ruler.
ACTIVITY TWO
Answer the following questions in your google doc from what you have read and further research
Before the major religions came into the Khmer Empire, where did the Khmer people believe the spirits lived?
List the two major religions of the Khmer Empire. Did they have different names for different sections of either Religion? If so what were they?
How and why did Theravada Buddhism affect the power of the king?
Research: Using this website here, create a miniature timeline, detailing the change in religion in the Khmer Empire - dates and any significant people associated with the religion should be noted. The timeline will be between 802 C.E. - 1431 C.E. Make sure to take a screenshot of your work and upload it into your google document.
Angkor Wat - Religious Site Study
Watch the first 12mins and 30seconds of the following documentary, which details how Angkor Wat was built and its religious connections. Answer the questions at the bottom of this page, as you go.
Activity Three:
Watch the clip located above as a class, that talks about how Angkor was built and why. You are to answer these questions as you watch the documentary.
How many people was Angkor home too?
Was Angkor Wat larger or smaller than European Cathedrals?
Which religion was connected to Angkor Wat?
“Angkor” means __________________. “Wat” means _____________________
What is Angkor Wat built upon?
Suryavarman II was the king who ordered the building of Angkor Wat. He was known as “Shield of the ______________”.
Who did Suryavarman II ambush to become king?
Which Hindu God did Suryavarman II select as his patron?
How many temples did the Khmer kings build?
Angkor Wat will reproduce on earth the ________________ of the ___________________ .
The Hindu conception of ‘heaven’ is Mount Meru. How many mountain peaks were there? And who lived there?
What is the centre of Angkor Wat known as?
Which compass point is associated with Vishnu?
Suryavarman II built Angkor Wat so when he died, he would go straight to _________________ .
How long did it take to build Angkor Wat?
‘Because the temple is sacred, it has to be built on ______________ _______________’.
Who will reside in the temple?
The priests dip cords in coloured powder and lay down Mandalas. What do mandalas represent?
‘The white sapphire represents the _______________, while the Gold Leaf signifies the ____________ .
Where are they buried? What is built around them?
Activity Four:
After viewing the documentary, and further research, you are to complete the presentation slides in your google drive, titled 'Angkor-Wat Travel Presentation'.
You are to answer the questions, and add pictures, convincing people to travel and see Angkor Wat.
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