Bayon Temple: Heads of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

CAMBODIA, Siem Reap, Angkor Thom

These sculptures are located in Bayon, which is a large Mahayana Buddhist temple built by King Jayavarman VII (reigned circa 1181–1220) between the late 12th to early 13th centuries. The sculptures are on the east side around the main gateway, where four-sided Khmer-style stupas with heads of Avalokitesvara are located. It is said that King Jayavarman VII was a devout Buddhist and especially devoted to Avalokitesvara, whose faces were created in his likeness. Each stupa was built by stacking large stones and the central stupa is 45 m high. There are a total of 54 stone stupas located on the second story with more than 200 faces depicted.
Each head has a Khmer crown with detailed ornamentation. The faces are square with wide noses and mouths. The facial expressions are said to change throughout the day depending on the light. This integration of Buddhist statues with architecture was not solely for religious purposes but was also a method of asserting power.