There is debate about the identity of the 216 stone faces at Bayon. Initially it was believed they represented Brahma, the first god in the Hindu triumvirate. This creator of the universe is always portrayed having four faces, similar to the Bayon towers. However, the temple’s creator believed in Mahayana Buddhism, a rarity among Khmer kings who practice Hinduism. So speculation turned to Avalokiteśvara. Also called Lokeshvara, this Buddhist, quasi-divine being is a Bodhisattva. This is a person who qualifies for full enlightenment but has delayed nirvana to support others. This accounts for the peaceful expression. Finally, other scholars claim the faces are Jayavarman VII the Great.
