Angkor Wat was specifically chosen to be reused as a Buddhist shrine for several intertwined historical, architectural, and symbolic reasons that reflect both pragmatic adaptation and spiritual significance.

Architectural Grandeur and Sacred Space

Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and was celebrated for its harmonious design, vast scale, and spiritual gravitas—qualities that inspired later Buddhist kings and communities to repurpose it for their own faith traditions. Its spacious galleries and monumental layout naturally lent themselves to large-scale Buddhist rituals, meditation, and monastic residence.

Royal and Political Legitimacy

The unfinished state of Angkor Wat after the death of its Hindu patron, King Suryavarman II, left both physical and symbolic space for transformation. In the 16th century, King Ang Chan, seeking political legitimacy, added Buddhist sculptures to previously unfinished galleries as a means of linking his rule to the glorious Khmer past and demonstrating continuity with ancestral traditions.

By transforming Angkor Wat into a Buddhist center, he reinforced his own authority and grounded his dynasty in the prestige of the monument.

Symbolic and Pilgrimage Importance

Angkor Wat was associated with sacred Mount Meru and boasted celestial alignments, features revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities. Its resemblance to famed Buddhist sites like Jetavana Monastery encouraged its adaptation for Buddhist pilgrimage and ancestor worship.

Throughout Southeast Asia, prominent temples were often reused and reinterpreted, and Angkor Wat’s status as the spiritual heart of the empire made it ideal for Buddhist re-appropriation.

Gradual Transformation and Coexistence

Unlike other temples, Angkor Wat was never fully abandoned and continually hosted a mix of Hindu and Buddhist rituals, with Buddhist images gradually replacing or standing alongside Hindu ones.

Its reuse was not an abrupt conversion but a gentle adaptation, reflecting Cambodia’s fluid religious boundaries and a respect for past traditions—leaving much Hindu imagery in place as Buddhist worship grew.

Enduring Identity and National Symbolism

Over time, Angkor Wat’s Buddhist identity contributed to its role as a symbol of Khmer culture and resilience, connecting contemporary Cambodians to both their Hindu and Buddhist heritage.

Its continued prominence and sacredness made it an obvious choice for ongoing religious activity in changing times, supporting its reuse as a Buddhist shrine as Buddhism became dominant in the region.

In summary

Angkor Wat’s selection as a Buddhist shrine resulted from its extraordinary architecture, royal political strategy, deep symbolic resonance across faiths, suitability for pilgrimage, and its enduring place in Khmer identity. 

Its transformation reflects both Cambodia’s spiritual adaptability and the monument’s lasting power as a sacred site through centuries of change.