Easily missed due to the overwhelming majesty of Angkor Wat, Wat Preah Prom Rath is a quiet retreat. At first glance, it is feels like a crowded display of spires, murals, statues and other arcane Buddhist religious symbols. But it is far more.
You have to stand still and slowly turn in the entrance; first seen was this scroll with such meaningful and powerful words (worth living by!):
“…purify the mind…”
Go to the left and onwards and the formal temple awaits. It was unassuming form the outside but the murals in the courtyard depicting each part of Buddha’s life and journey were amazing.
After this overwhelming visual journey, the temple calls to you…through one small entrance…and there is the Golden Buddha, mighty and meditative. Surrounded by worshiping icons and gifts and almost gaudy adornment. We were all a but stunned by how tall the Buddha was — but as I wondered to the right of the altar, I came upon perhaps the most amazing site of all: an 18-foot long sleeping Buddha. Hidden behind the altar; it was dark, almost neglected almost meant to be missed. It stopped me and I found myself emotionally drawn in, confused by the power of such a simple and magnificent statue, left lying in near darkness.
Angkor Wat is a grand scale of human achievement; this was a blessing of simple magnificence. Do not miss it.
A footnote…the story of the janitor who kept appearing and disappearing, in the truest sense of the word, the whole time we were walking the murals, him always at the temple. When we were done, he was standing with his bucket at a small doorway; he walked inside; curiosity drew us to follow…and he was gone. But the temple, the statues sitting and sleeping, awaited. He never appeared again.
Outspoken Traveler 