[Buddha-l] Buddha-shaped termite nests in Cambodia

[BP]

Does this beat a grilled cheese picture of the Virgin Mary?




*Buddha-shaped termite nests in Cambodia *

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 11/16/2008

PHNOM PENH--Hundreds of devout Cambodians have flocked to see five 
unusually shaped termite nests that look like seated figures of Buddha, 
witnesses said Sunday.

The iconic insect homes appeared on the cement floor of 56-year-old 
Kuong Keo Ry's house 
<http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081116-172531/Buddha-shaped-termite-nests-in-Cambodia#> 
near Phnom Penh, shortly before a traditional death festival held in 
October when she was mourning her late husband.

"I am happy that my house has been chosen. After other people and I pay 
respect to the Buddha shapes, we all feel content," the widow told AFP 
by telephone.

She said she first became curious about the nests in October because she 
would sweep them away every day -- but that the wood-munching bugs would 
rebuild them overnight.

Over the past month around 50 to 60 people had come to her house every 
day to view the Buddhas, Kuong Keo Ry said.

A journalist who went to see the termite Buddhas said he was "thrilled" 
by them.

"It's like a miracle to me," said Sok Samnang, who hosts a Cambodian 
television show.

"One night after we put jasmine ornaments around the five Buddha shapes, 
they became higher. Each of them is 50 centimeters (19 inches) tall and 
looks exactly like a seated Buddha," he said.

Cambodian Buddhist scholars have said that the Buddha shapes represent 
apparitions of deities.

"I've never seen anything like this before in my life. I believe the 
termites are trying to bring us a message from God," said devout 
Buddhist San Son, 60, who visits the nests regularly to pray.

Buddhism permeates all aspects of culture in Cambodia, despite attempts 
to eradicate it by the former Khmer Rouge regime.