scholars have interpreted the iconographic program in different
ways, all agree on two essential points: the dependence of Borobudur
on Indian art, literature, and religion, and the fact that nothing com-
parable exists in India itself. Borobudur’s sophistication, complexity,
and originality underline how completely Southeast Asians had ab-
sorbed, rethought, and reformulated Indian religion and art by 800.Cambodia
In 802, at about the same time the Javanese built Borobudur, the
Khmer King Jayavarman II (r. 802–850) founded the Angkor dy-
nasty, which ruled Cambodia for the next 400 years and sponsored
the construction of hundreds of monuments, including gigantic
Buddhist monasteries (wats). For at least two centuries before the
founding of Angkor, the Khmer (the predominant ethnic group in
Cambodia) produced Indian-related sculpture of exceptional qual-
ity. Images of Vishnu were particularly important during the pre-
Angkorian period.
HARIHARA A statue of Vishnu (FIG. 6-28) from Prasat Andet
shows the Hindu god in his manifestation as Harihara (Shiva-
Vishnu). To represent Harihara, the sculptor divided the statue ver-
tically, with Shiva on the god’s right side, Vishnu on his left. The tall
headgear reflects the division most clearly. The Shiva half, embell-
ished with the winding locks of an ascetic, contrasts with the kingly
Vishnu’s plain miter. Attributes (now lost) held in the four hands
also helped differentiate the two sides. Stylistically, the Cambodian
statue, like the Sri Lankan parinirvana group (FIG. 6-26), derives
from Indian sculptures (FIG. 6-13) of Gupta style. But unlike almost
all stone sculpture in India, carved in relief on slabs or steles, this
Khmer image is in the round. The Harihara’s broken arms and an-
kles vividly attest to the vulnerability of this format. The Khmer
sculptors, however, wanted their statues to be seen from all sides in
the center of the garbha grihas of brick temples.Southeast Asia 1756-27Aerial view
of Borobudur, Java,
Indonesia, ca. 800.
Borobudur is a colossal
Buddhist monument of
unique form. Built on nine
terraces with more than
1,500 stupas and 1,500
statues and reliefs, it takes
the form of a cosmic
mountain, which wor-
shipers circumambulate.6-28Harihara, from
Prasat Andet, Cambodia,
early seventh century.
Stone, 6 3 high. National
Museum, Phnom Penh.
Harihara is a composite of
Shiva (the god’s right side)
and Vishnu (on the left).
Although stylistically
indebted to Gupta sculp-
ture, the Khmer statue is
freestanding so that it
could be viewed from
all sides.1 ft.6-28A
Bodhisattva
Maitreya,
Prakhon Chai,
eighth to ninth
century.