A surprise discovery at the Bukit Choras temple complex has proven the long history of Buddhism in Malaysia. Archaeologists found a Buddha statue, which is believed to date back to the 8th or 9th century.
The life-sized Buddha statue, made from mortar (a mixture of lime, water, and sand), was found on the northern wall of this ancient temple. What is special is that this statue is almost complete with head, facial features, and clothes. In addition, the research team also found a Sanskrit inscription on the statue and pieces of terracotta pottery.
Photo of a 1,200-year-old Buddha statue just excavated.
This suggests that the Bukit Choras area was once an important religious site, even older than famous religious sites such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. The discovery also suggests that Buddhism was present in Malaysia very early, at least as early as the 8th or 9th century.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman said the discovery was of great tourism and archaeological value and would attract more tourists to Kedah. “This discovery is older than Angkor Wat and Borobudur. This is very exciting for us,” he said. Roslan said an exhibition would be held once the research on the artifacts was completed. However, the government has yet to decide whether the artifacts will be displayed in a museum or whether Bukit Choras will be developed into a new archaeological tourist destination, like famous sites in Cambodia and Indonesia.
For further protection and study, the relics were moved from Bukit Choras to the National Heritage Department of Malaysia laboratory for conservation work. By the third phase of excavation, three inscriptions containing Buddhist mantras were found at the site.
The statue has now been moved to the Department of National Heritage Malaysia for conservation work.
The discovery of a 1,200-year-old Buddha statue in Malaysia is a remarkable event that not only reflects Malaysia’s rich history but also opens up opportunities for future Buddhist studies. This is a clear testament to the diversity and richness of humanity’s cultural heritage.
