Nouvelles perspectives pour la connaissance de l'histoire de la fin de la période angkorienne au Cambodge : notes sur quelques bas-reliefs de la galerie intérieure du Bayon

Abstract

This paper refers to some conclusions of a Ph.D. thesis which deals with the history and art history of Ancient Cambodia at the end of the Angkorian period (ca. 1220-ca. 1431). After a presentation of previous studies about these little documented centuries, a brief picture of historical and religious context is provided, emphasizing the principal events. While dynastic chronology is interrupted for fifty years (1220 -1270), the Mahāyānic form of Buddhism is suddenly ousted by Saivite sectarian devotees. At the same time, the Theravāda, the alternative Buddhist current, comes to the fore. On such subjects, we open new vistas based on the study of "bas-reliefs" pertaining to the inner gallery of the Bayon temple at Angkor. First, we determine some dating criteria which confirm that these bas-reliefs have been sculpted at the end of the Angkorian period. Then, looking at some of the iconographical subjects appearing here, we have been able to show the presence of the two latest Mahāyānic scenes known in Ancient Cambodian art and to underline the historical consequences of that fact : it proves that Mahāyāna Buddhism, which is usually said to have disappeared after the death of king Jayavarman VII, has in fact persisted after that. We have also noticed that these bas-reliefs are, on the whole, innovative and they prove that Indian contributions are not forsaken.