Story: Cambodians

Maintaining religious traditions (1st of 2)

Maintaining religious traditions

Bunthan Chan sits beside this Buddha, which dates from the 16th or 17th century. It was bought by the Wellington Cambodian community at an auction in 1983 – an anonymous couple lent the community $6,000 to make the purchase. The serene Buddha is considered an important symbol of unity for a people whose country has been ravaged by wars.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1983/1389/5
Photograph by Ross Giblin

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Man Hau Liev and Rosa Chhun, 'Cambodians - Fitting in: work, community and culture', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1121/maintaining-religious-traditions (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Man Hau Liev and Rosa Chhun, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 30 Mar 2015