Agence France-Presse
PHNOM PENH--Hundreds of devout Cambodians have flocked to see five unusually shaped termite nests that look like seated figures of Buddha, witnesses said Sunday.
The iconic insect homes appeared on the cement floor of 56-year-old Kuong Keo Ry's house near Phnom Penh, shortly before a traditional death festival held in October when she was mourning her late husband.
"I am happy that my house has been chosen. After other people and I pay respect to the Buddha shapes, we all feel content," the widow told AFP by telephone.
She said she first became curious about the nests in October because she would sweep them away every day -- but that the wood-munching bugs would rebuild them overnight.
Over the past month around 50 to 60 people had come to her house every day to view the Buddhas, Kuong Keo Ry said.
A journalist who went to see the termite Buddhas said he was "thrilled" by them.
"It's like a miracle to me," said Sok Samnang, who hosts a Cambodian television show.
"One night after we put jasmine ornaments around the five Buddha shapes, they became higher. Each of them is 50 centimeters (19 inches) tall and looks exactly like a seated Buddha," he said.
Cambodian Buddhist scholars have said that the Buddha shapes represent apparitions of deities.
"I've never seen anything like this before in my life. I believe the termites are trying to bring us a message from God," said devout Buddhist San Son, 60, who visits the nests regularly to pray.
Buddhism permeates all aspects of culture in Cambodia, despite attempts to eradicate it by the former Khmer Rouge regime.
The iconic insect homes appeared on the cement floor of 56-year-old Kuong Keo Ry's house near Phnom Penh, shortly before a traditional death festival held in October when she was mourning her late husband.
"I am happy that my house has been chosen. After other people and I pay respect to the Buddha shapes, we all feel content," the widow told AFP by telephone.
She said she first became curious about the nests in October because she would sweep them away every day -- but that the wood-munching bugs would rebuild them overnight.
Over the past month around 50 to 60 people had come to her house every day to view the Buddhas, Kuong Keo Ry said.
A journalist who went to see the termite Buddhas said he was "thrilled" by them.
"It's like a miracle to me," said Sok Samnang, who hosts a Cambodian television show.
"One night after we put jasmine ornaments around the five Buddha shapes, they became higher. Each of them is 50 centimeters (19 inches) tall and looks exactly like a seated Buddha," he said.
Cambodian Buddhist scholars have said that the Buddha shapes represent apparitions of deities.
"I've never seen anything like this before in my life. I believe the termites are trying to bring us a message from God," said devout Buddhist San Son, 60, who visits the nests regularly to pray.
Buddhism permeates all aspects of culture in Cambodia, despite attempts to eradicate it by the former Khmer Rouge regime.
6 comments:
Why such picture described is not shown here at KI? No one took the pictures?
I`m very sorry that Communist HO+MAO+Sihanouk have destroyed our religion that exist since 1st centery,but be careful our khmer`s Angkor Bondasa.
It's a great story. I think people just make up the story just to make their desparate life some hopes.
Think about it; the impoverished people have been neglect, abuse, rob of his/her decency; and so it's a way of coping.
The buddhism in Cambodia is 35% myth.
Bhuddhism in Cambodia was fake started since 12h century. In Cambodia Hinduism and Buddhism are all over practiced by Khmers not sure which or which.
No real Buddhist nations anymore. May be Thailand yes but not in Cambodia.
show the picture, i'd sure like to see what it looks like?
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