Pak Ou Caves: Laos’ Sacred Repository of 6,000 Buddhas

via DPA, 01 May 2024: The Pak Ou Caves in Laos, positioned on the banks of the Mekong River, house around 6,000 Buddha statues, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike. These statues, varying in size and made from materials like wood and bronze, have been left by worshippers over centuries. I have a special connection to these caves – it was one of the sites I studied during my PhD dissertation, and it also contains rock art.

According to estimates, there are as many as 6,000 Buddha statues of various sizes and materials like wood and bronze in two limestone caves, put there by pilgrims over the centuries.

Buddha is depicted with various hand gestures – called mudras – each of which has a specific meaning.

“It is estimated that there are around 4,000 sculptures in the lower cave and around 2,000 in the upper one,” says tour guide Somjai Simoonthong, who regularly brings tourists from all over the world here.

The cave temples can only be reached by boat along the Mekong. The journey from the popular tourist destination of Luang Prabang – the former capital of the Southeast Asian country – involves a boat trip of about two hours.

Source: The sacred Pak Ou Caves of Laos, home to some 6,000 Buddha statues