Decades of history resonate here at Nhien Reangsey Pagoda. This pagoda in Phnom Penh stands as a testament to Cambodian Buddhism. Let’s delve into the story of pagodas and their significance in Cambodia.
The term “pagoda” might be more general than you think. In Vietnam and Cambodia, the word “pagoda” refers to a place of worship. It is a term used even if “pagoda” is not an accurate word to describe a Buddhist Vihara. The stupa is an architectural structure that has spread across Asia. It has taken on many forms specific to each region.
Most pagodas were built for a religious function. Most often they were Buddhist but sometimes Taoist. They were often located in or near viharas. The pagoda traces its origins to the stupa. Its design was developed in ancient India.
Chinese pagodas are a traditional part of Chinese architecture. Since ancient times, Chinese pagodas have been praised for spectacular views. Many classical poems attest to the joy of scaling pagodas.
The oldest and tallest pagodas were built of wood. However, most that survived were built of brick or stone. Some pagodas are solid with no interior. Hollow pagodas have no higher floors or rooms. The interior often contains an altar or a smaller pagoda. Staircases allow visitors to climb to see the view from an opening on each tier. Most have between three and 13 tiers. The classic design includes gradual tiered eaves.
The origin of the pagoda can be traced to the stupa from the 3rd century BCE. The stupa is a dome-shaped monument. It was used as a commemorative monument to house sacred relics and writings. In East Asia, the architecture of Chinese towers and Chinese pavilions blended into pagoda architecture. Eventually they also spread to Southeast Asia. Buddhist missionaries, pilgrims, rulers, and ordinary devotees popularized their construction. This honored Buddhist relics.
Chinese iconography is noticeable in Chinese and other East Asian pagoda architectures. Buddhist iconography is also prominent. Examples are the images of the Shakyamuni and Gautama Buddha in the abhaya mudra. Some believed that reverence at pagodas could bring luck to students taking the Chinese civil service examinations.
Pagodas come in many different sizes. Taller ones often attract lightning strikes. This inspired a tradition that the finial decoration could seize demons. Today, many pagodas have wires turning the finial into a lightning rod.
Wooden pagodas possess certain characteristics that resist earthquake damage. These include the friction damping and sliding effect of the complex wooden dougong joints. Also important are the structural isolation of floors and the wide eaves. The Shinbashira phenomenon sees the center column bolted to the rest of the superstructure.
Traditionally pagodas have an odd number of levels. A notable exception is the eighteenth-century orientalist pagoda designed by Sir William Chambers at Kew Gardens in London. The pagodas in the Himalayas derive from Newari architecture. They are very different from Chinese and Japanese styles.
During the Southern and Northern dynasties, pagodas were mostly built of wood. Wooden pagodas are resistant to earthquakes but prone to fire, natural rot, and insect infestation. Experiments began with brick and stone pagodas during the Northern Wei and Sui dynasties. Even at the end of the Sui, wood was still the most common material.
Nhien Reangsey Pagoda stands as a reminder. It connects us to a rich history of faith, art, and architectural evolution. As you leave this sacred space, carry with you the echoes of the past. Remember the enduring spirit of Cambodian Buddhism.