39. Preah Promreah Pagoda - AD 1371

Preah Promreah

Preah Prohm Rath Monastery was founded about 500 years ago in the reign of King Ang Chan, who dedicated it to Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy and to the spirits of Ta Pum Yeay Rath. The temple was also established to propagate the Dharma (Buddha's teaching), and to provide lodging for monks, because a lot of them who came to Siem Reap didn't have anywhere to stay.

Built in late fifteenth and early sixteenth centery AD, it's situated on land belonging to the wealthy family of Ta Pum and Yeay Rath. It is said this monastery was regarded as the sacred residence of Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy who was a revered monk living in the thirteenth and fourteenth century AD.

All the Khmer people whether high born or peasant came to worship him, especially the King Ang Chan who came to pray for victory as the kingdom wasn't stable, and when it did became stable, the family mentioned above provided its sacred land to the King Ang Chan to establish a monastery which was called the Ta Pum Yeay Rath Monastery. In the 1940's, under the Most Venerable Monh, a former abbot, it was renamed Preah Prohm Rath Monastery as it is now.

 

Above: Entrance

 

Above: The main vihear (prayer hall)

 

Above: Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy's boat
Once upon a time in the year 1358 - 1456 in a temple in Siem Reap, there lived a monk called Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy who travelled across Tonle-sap Lake every day to collect alms from Buddhists at Longwek Capital. He returned to his temple each day for lunch. One day when he was in the middle of the lake, his boat was cut in half by sharks, but fortunately didn't sink.
One part was at Wat Boribo in Boribo District Kampong Chnang Province, the other part was in Siem Reap province, now at Wat Preah Prohm Rath.

In the late 15th, early 16th century, King Ang Chan built this shrine hall and temple which he dedicated to Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy while he prayed for victory.

This replica of Preah Ang Chang-han Hoy's boat was built in 2007 by most Venerable Tong Ton, Samanera Tong Teuom, fellow monks and Buddhist laymen to preserve the knowledge of culture, history and heritage for Khmer generations.

 

Above: Stupas
Stupas are ancient icons of Buddhist art and are symbols of enlightenment. They are also the oldest of Buddhist architecture designed with sacred geometry and symbolism. To learn more about stupas CLICK HERE.