Naga-enthroned Buddha , 1100-1150. Cambodia, Angkor, Angkor Wat Period, 12th century. Bronze; overall: 58.4 x 28 cm (23 x 11 in.); figure: 31.4 x 27.6 x 18.5 cm (12 3/8 x 10 7/8 x 7 5/16 in.). Jayavarman VII, who built the great royal temple at Banteay Chhmar, linked himself with the image of the Buddha seated on a serpent, or naga, as the divine form under which he would be honored. During his reign, the naga-enthroned Buddha became a ubiquitous image for veneration, often set up together with Lokeshvara, who was associated with his father, and Prajnaparamita, the form under which his deceased mother was honored. Lokeshvara is the powerful enlightened being of compassion, while Prajnaparmita is the goddess who personifies wisdom. King Jayavarman VII, therefore, presented himself as the enlightened Buddha, the product of the union of Compassion and Wisdom, supported and glorified by the naga, which refers to the Khmer people. Images of the naga-enthroned Buddha have been found at Bant