Prasat Brahmakil

History of the Temple

Prasat Ta Brahmakil, or Brahmakil, is a small temple located about 300 meters west of Angkor Wat’s gate. It was built of laterite stone and dedicated to Buddhism. It is quite small in size and only about 50 meters away from the front road of Angkor Wat.

The temple was built in 1186 CE (late 12th century) by King Jayavarman VII, who was posthumously titled Mahaparamasaugatapataḥ. Since 1919, this temple has been preserved by the Ministry of Conservation of Angkor.

During explorations in 1928, an inscription was discovered containing King Jayavarman VII’s royal order concerning the Arogyasala or “hospital.” According to the inscription, Prasat Ta Brahmakil was a Dharma sanctuary for Buddhist studies and practice. Statues of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the compassionate healer of the world, were also found here.

Architecture and Art

To reach the temple, one must pass through a gopura (entrance pavilion) built of laterite before arriving at the central sanctuary, which stands on three tiers. The temple faces east, with three entrance doorways and a northern drainage hole for sacred water.

The carvings and style are similar to those of the Bayon temple, with devata images on the pillars and decorative carvings at the entrances. Scholar Mao Sokin noted that this Arogyasala complex included a baray (pond), enclosure wall, library, and prayer hall. The temple also had a drainage system leading water into the outer pond, along with carved stucco decorations.

Pañcajina (Five Wisdom Buddhas)

On the western wall of the hospital sanctuary (Arogyasala), there are depictions of five meditating Buddhas, believed to be Vairocana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi.

Restoration and Conservation

Prasat Brahmakil was first restored by the French School of the Far East (École française d'Extrême-Orient) in the late 1920s and 1935, due to serious structural damage. Later, the APSARA National Authority continued preservation efforts.

The most recent restoration took place from March to December 2023, carried out by the Department of Temple Conservation and Archaeology under APSARA National Authority. Today, Prasat Brahmakil stands strong again after being 100% restored.

Source: Wikipedia