The Leper King: Madness and Myth at Angkor Thom

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the enigmatic figure of the Leper King, whose haunting statue sits on the Terrace of the Leper King at Angkor Thom. They delve into the historical and mythological layers surrounding this mysterious king: was he Yasovarman I, who suffered from leprosy, or Jayavarman VII, whose compassion for the sick led to hospitals? They examine the yantra inscriptions, the raja karma concept of kingly duty, and the Tantric Buddhist influences that may have shaped the image. The conversation also touches on Zhou Daguan's 13th-century account of a king who recovered from leprosy and the later 'leper prince' legend. Finally, they peer into the Terrace's hidden second wall, which suggests the site was a cremation ground for kings. This episode offers a nuanced look at how history, myth, and religious symbolism intertwine at Angkor. #LeperKing #AngkorThom #YasovarmanI #JayavarmanVII #ZhouDaguan #TantricBuddhism #KhmerEmpire #TerraceOfTheLeperKing #RajaKarma #Yantra #Avalokiteshvara #Devaraja #SiemReap #CambodianHistory #AncientMysteries #SoutheastAsianHistory #FexingoHistory #History #AngkorWat #SuryavarmanII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo