The urns were discovered beneath the Buddha’s throne at Wat Langka ten years ago. DC-Cam
The Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) held a special memorial ceremony at Wat Langka on May 27. The event honoured unknown victims of the Khmer Rouge regime who have no surviving relatives.
The ceremony saw 464 urns, previously abandoned, mourned and forgotten, laid to rest in the “Urn Library” at the pagoda. The urns were discovered beneath the Buddha’s throne at Wat Langka ten years ago.
The library is the first of its kind in Phnom Penh, and aims to promote the study of the causes and effects that led to the abandonment of the urns.
“Questions arise: Who were these 464 individuals? What were the circumstances of their deaths? When did they pass away? Where are their relatives? Is it possible to locate any surviving family members?” asked a statement from DC-Cam.
“The Urn Library serves both as a research centre for studying the urns and as a contemplative space that invites reflection on the lives of the deceased and the living,” it explained.
They have now been interred in a dedicated ‘Urn Library’ at the pagoda. DC-Cam
It noted that the library reflects aspects of Buddhist culture regarding the preparation and preservation of the remains of the deceased. In addition, Wat Langka provides a space to assist impoverished individuals in emergencies who require a location to bury their deceased or conduct other ritual ceremonies.
“According to Buddhist tradition, the shapes and styles of the 464 urns convey the status and roles of the individuals who perished here, reflecting the social hierarchy of those abandoned from the war through the Pol Pot era to the present day,” said the statement.
National Day of Remembrance, marked each year on May 20, is a special day of reflection for all Cambodians.
As part of its observations, DC-Cam selects specific locations to commemorate the deceased.
“The effort to identify, honour and preserve these urns — nearly lost during the Khmer Rouge evacuation of Phnom Penh 50 years ago — serves as a vital complement to the ongoing endeavour to confront and redress the cultural genocide that occurred in the past and persists to this day,” explained the centre.
“The event was dedicated to honouring the souls of the deceased and transferring merit to them for the next life,” it added.
The variation in designs reflects the status and roles of the individuals who perished, all of them abandoned during the war, but remembered once again. DC-CAM
The ceremony was attended by Venerable Hour Sarith, vice-dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Religion at Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University and Head of Wat Langka Preah Kossamaram, along with monks, nuns, and DC-Cam staff.
Although the ceremony was conducted on a modest scale, it held deep significance for Cambodians who believe in Buddhism, karma, merit, destiny and forgiveness, all of which are regarded as fundamental to daily life.
