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Dr. Melody Rod-ari

About Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Dr. Melody Rod-ari is Contributing Editor for Southeast Asian art. She earned her M.A. from Boston University and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research examines modern and contemporary Thai Buddhist visual culture. She was Assistant Curator of Asian art at the Norton Simon Museum and Editor for the American Council for Southern Asian Art. She is currently an Associate Professor at Loyola Marymount University.

angkor thom grid — There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Coming Soon: The art of empires in ...

Phra Si Rattana Chedi, a stupa covered in gold mosaic tiles, , Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok, Thailand (photo: กสิณธร ราชโอรส, CC BY-SA 4.0) — Wat Phra Kaew stands as an important monument that reflects the best of Thai craftsmanship and artistry since the late 18th century.

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald ...

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Dusit Maha Prasat (photo: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0) — The Grand Palace in Bangkok is a royal complex filled with impressive architecture, painted murals, and arguably the most important Buddhist icon in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha.

The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Ban Chiang Clay Jar, Ban Chiang, north-eastern Thailand, 1st millennium B.C.E. © Trustees of the British Museum — Ban Chiang, located in the northeastern Thai province of Udon Thani, is considered the most important prehistoric culture in Southeast Asia.

Ban Chiang, a prehistoric archaeological site

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Bayon, the most notable temple at Angkor Thom (photo: Dmitry A. Mottl, CC BY-SA 4.0) — While the mystery of the smiling face-towers continue to perplex scholars and visitors, it is agreed that the Bayon Temple was intended to represent Mt. Meru on Earth.

The Bayon: A temple with many faces

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

angkor thom grid — Angkor Thom is an urban planning marvel and the name of one of the most impressive royal cities of Angkor Period Cambodia.

Angkor Thom, The Great City

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Emeraldbuddhathumb — In the 19th century, King Rama II turned to Thailand’s protective deity, the Emerald Buddha, to stop the spread of cholera.

The Emerald Buddha and pandemics

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Krishna Killing the Horse Demon Keshi — […]

Hinduism and Buddhism, an introduction

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Hinduism and Buddhism — Hindus and Buddhists share a vocabulary but differ in their interpretations of dharma, karma, and salvation.

Hinduism and Buddhism, an introduction

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Aerial view, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 1116-1150 (photo: Peter Garnhum, CC BY-NC 2.0) — This temple remains the largest religious monument in the world. Once a Hindu shrine, it is now used by Buddhists.

A-level: Angkor Wat

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Jowo Rinpoche — This larger-than-life Buddha has been restored and venerated for centuries. Today, blue hair frames his gold face

Jowo Rinpoche, Jokhang Temple, Tibet

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

West niche, c. 6th-7th c C.E., stone, stucco, paint, Bamiyan, Afghanistan, Buddha destroyed 2001 (photo: Carlos Ugarte, CC BY-NC 2.0) — These colossal figures presided over the Bamiyan Valley for over 1000 years; the Taliban demolished them in 2001.

Bamiyan Buddhas

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari

Aerial view, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 1116-1150 (photo: Peter Garnhum, CC BY-NC 2.0) — This temple remains the largest religious monument in the world. Once a Hindu shrine, it is now used by Buddhists.

Angkor Wat

by Dr. Melody Rod-ari