HTML clipboardBuddhism
Buddhism was the other important religion. Its two principal forms are
Mahayana ('Greater Vehicle') and Theravada (also known as 1 linayana - 'Lesser
Vehicle', a term not surprisingly considered derogatory by its followers). The
Buddhism practised throughout Southeast Asia today is Theravada - 'the sayings
of elders', following the pure precepts of the Buddha - but at the time of the
Khmer Empire, official Buddhist worship was exclusively Mahayanist.
Mahayana Buddhism seems to have played a more important role in what is
now Thailand than in Cambodia - or at least, it was important over a longer
period. At Angkor, it made its major appearance at the end of the 12th century
with the accession of Jayavarman VII, but on the Khorat Plateau it was
established much earlier. The temple of Phimai. in particular, was a centre of
Buddhist worship. After the 7th century, Tantric thought began to infiltrate
both Buddhism and Hinduism, and makes an important appearance at Phimai. Tantra
is 'the doctrine and ritual of the left hand', in which the female force, or
shakti, plays a dominant role in the universe. This esoteric belief involved
many magical and mystical rituals, and female divinities played an increasing
part. Vajrayana Buddhism was a development of Tantric thought, and had elaborate
iconography. One of the characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism is the number of
bodhisattvas. Literally 'Buddhas-to-be', these were beings who had voluntarily
halted their progress on the path to Buddha-hood, stopping just short of
Enlightenment in order to be able to assist mankind.
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