Mon, Nov 24, 2008 page14

• Cambodians flock to Buddha-shaped termite nests 柬埔寨民眾群聚佛像白蟻窩朝聖

  • • 
    • 
    • 

  Hundreds of Cambodians have gone to see five unusually shaped termite nests that look like figures of Buddha, witnesses said.

  The insect homes appeared on the cement floor of 56-year-old Kuong Keo Ry’s house 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.

  

  This image released by auction house Christie’s shows a gilt bronze figure of Buddha, from 14th century Tibet. The Buddha is part of Christie’s Asian Art Week auction which will feature everything from delicate and ancient Chinese vases to boundary-breaking modern Indian paintings. 佳士得拍賣會提供的這張照片中，是一尊十四世紀的西藏鍍金青銅佛像。這是佳士得亞洲藝術週活動上的拍賣品，會中拍賣的藝術品包羅萬象，從中國古代精美的花瓶，到打破創作界線的印度現代畫作全都包括在內。 照片：法新社

  PHOTO: AFP

  She said she first became curious about the nests in October because she would sweep them away every day but the termites rebuilt 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.

  (AFP)

  目擊者表示，已有數百名柬埔寨民眾觀看過五個狀似佛像的特殊白蟻窩。

  今年十月，正在服喪的五十六歲婦女匡凱歐麗為亡夫舉行傳統喪禮前不久，她位在金邊附近的住家水泥地板上竟出現了這些白蟻窩。

  這位遺孀在電話中向法新社說：「我很高興我的房子被選中。我和其他人朝這五個佛像狀的蟻窩祭拜後，我們都感到心滿意足。」

  她說，她上個月開始對這些蟻窩感到好奇，因為她每天都會把它們清理乾淨，但這些白蟻卻又能在一夜之間將它們重新蓋起來

  匡凱歐麗說，過去這一個月來，每天平均都有五、六十人來到她家參觀這些佛像蟻窩。

  一位到現場參觀的記者說，他看了覺得「很激動」。

  柬埔寨電視節目主持人索山南說；「那對我而言，簡直就是個奇蹟。」

  （法新社�翻譯：袁星塵）

  For your information

  TODAY’S WORDS 今日單字

  1. termite n. 白蟻 (bai2 yi3) 例: Dave's house was overrun with termites. (戴夫他家遭白蟻侵擾。) 2. content adj. 滿足的 (man3 zu2 de5) 例: Everybody was content with the judge's decision. (那位評審的裁決讓大家滿意。) 3. overnight adv. 一夜間 (yi2 ye4 jian1) 例: Heavy winds lashed the county overnight. (強風一夜間狂襲該縣。) 4. miracle n. 奇蹟 (qi2 ji1) 例: It seemed like a miracle when Lewis finally passed his driving test. (路易斯終於通過路考，這簡直就是個奇蹟。)
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Alcaraz, Sinner win their Roland Garros openers

  • 2

    Blackpink to hold concert in Kaohsiung

  • 3

    Conte’s future uncertain even after Serie A title win

  • 4

    T’wolves silence Thunder in Game 3

  • 5

    Panthers secure return to Stanley Cup Finals