摘要: Justification of Outstanding Universal Value　　The temple of Preah Khan Kompong Svay is a unique complex which can be seen from different perspectives such as the architectural layout conveying the con

Justification of Outstanding Universal Value

　　The temple of Preah Khan Kompong Svay is a unique complex which can be seen from different perspectives such as the architectural layout conveying the concept of the ‘pure land’ of Buddhist philosophy, way station, iron industrial city and the uniqueness of its art motif decoration.

　　Architectural layout interpreting the concept of ‘pure land’ in Mahayana Buddhis.

　　At Preah Khan Kompong Svay, the five Buddhas image were depicted in various places such as on the lintel, and other structural elements. In Mahayana Buddhism, the five Buddhas represent the cosmic Buddhas known as, Vairochana; Ratnasambhava; Amoghasiddhi, Amitabha, and Akshoya. They were employed in Tantric practice and linked to the five elements, and five energies of the body. Therefore, their presence in various places at Preah Khan Kompong Svay is a means of expressing the Buddhist cosmic diagram in architecture.

　　Preah Khan Kompong Svay as a way station and iron industrial city.

　　Preah Khan Kompong Svay served as an important way station city for the east-bound Angkor Royal Road network, as concluded from the character of the temple d’etape and remnants relating to the iron industry found in situ.

　　Regarding the temple d’etape, along the east-bound ancient highway from Angkor Thom to Preah Khan Kompong Svay,  there are 10 temples known as: Chou Say Tavoda, Thommanon, Banteay Samre, Chau Srei Vibol, Banteay Ampol, Beng Mealea, Toap Chey, Prasat Pram, Prasat Supheap Tbong, Prasat Chambok of Preah Khan Kompong Svay. These temples date to Angkor Wat style, during the reign of Suryavarman VII.

　　Inside in the compound of Preah Khan Kompong, are to be found some 18 places that have remnants of concentrations of metallurgy activities, around Boeung Krom, and  scattered in the area between the 3^rd and 4^th enclosures. Based on this evidence, some scholar proposed that Preah Khan Kompong Svay was one of the industrial cities that supplied the iron material for Angkor, whose prowess in warfare was believed to have largely dervived from mastery of producing iron weaponry.

　　Art motifs decoration

　　At Preah Khan Kompong Svay, there emerged a distinct character of arts motif which was not found before in Khmer art history. It shows as a dynamic and new creative art for the style of Jayavarman VII. Different from Angkor, most of the motifs were representations and interpretations of the creatures described in religious texts, for example Hamsa with three heads, three-headed elephants, and the Garuda. Especially, the selection the motif of designs were concerned with the hierarchy in religious context, especially the faith of Trimurti. Other remarkable images at Preah Khan Kompong Svay included a standing lion with a posture of moving forward, and at Prasat Damrei an elephant with the feet of a Garuda.

　　The continuous use of the concept of Buddha of Chaktomuk for the city

　　The  statue of standing Buddha as a form of Chaktomuk, found at Preah Khan Kampong Svay is the only one remaining in Cambodia.   

　　Chaktomuk is considered as the symbol of god protecting the city. Such a faith has been strongly adapted in the Khmer urbanizing concept at least since the 13th  century  onward. For example,  Jayavarman VII renovated Angkor Thom city (13th century) by constructing the Bayon temple at the center point of the city. The city of Longvek existed Tro leng Keng (17th century), and Phnom Penh was located  at the conjunction of four rivers called Chaktomuk. Khmer believe that the conjunction place or four cardinal direction represent the new creation, while in  Hindu text the power of god (particularly in the form of Barhma) spreads out through each direction. Therefore, Chaktomuk at Preah Khan Kompong Svay has significance both in the value of the object itself, and also the indication it denotes that this  was a flourishing city.  

　　Criterion (ii):  Preah Khan Kompong Svay was a provincial city that functioned as a way station linked to the central area of Angkor. This complex, located along the ancient Royal Road, shows town planning that was well organised and had uniques design to facilite the production of iron, which was done directly inside the complex itself. Morever, the location of the town was close to the location rich in iron resources. In addition, the concept of the city was conveyed via characteristic religious monuments and features.