Buddhist Terrace (Remnants) of Phnom Krom

At the eastern entrance to the 9th-century temple, Prasat Phnom Krom (Khmer: ប្រាសាទភ្នំក្រោម), an array of remnants from a Buddhist Terrace can be seen. Buddhist Terrace is a term used on this site for Theravada Buddhist structures from the late/post-Angkorian era, they may also be called preah vihear, prah vihar, or vihara.

In the collection is an array of leaf-shaped sima stones (boundary markers) that would have originally demarcated the ritual area. In this case, we can only assume it was an elongated terrace, similar to those seen in Angkor Thom, constructed from masonry recycled from the ancient temple itself. One particular sima is notable for having decorative reliefs akin to those of the 16th century, while the others have a similar shape with only an embossed centerline. Diagraphic sima are also seen and may be from a later era again. There are also sima pedestals, which relate to the early slab-like leaf-shaped sema. Elements of votive stupa are also seen (tall rectangular pieces).

If all these pieces are native to the site, the history of Theravada Buddhism practice at the site from the late/post-Angkorian era onwards is complex, with several iterations of development.

Images: 2022-2024