It is not the first time that an ancient temple has bred violence.
Chinese media is once more preoccupied with North Korea but there is also coverage of plans to demolish an ancient temple.
And echoing through the ancient temple is the sound of a river flowing even beneath this layer, running through a Republic-era drain.
For thousands of years, the sitting figure of Ramses II watched over the Nil, till the construction of the Aswan dam threatened to drown the ancient temple under the waters of the river.
"I recently visited the ancient Todaiji temple in Nara and noticed an extra roof tile set on its top, " recalls the Toshiba president.
Many faiths know a moment when a territorial practice gets pointed toward a symbolic and indoor activity: thus, most famously, the move from the Temple Judaism of ancient Israel to the Talmudic, rabbinical Judaism that arose after the destruction of the Temple.
After meeting up with the archeologist guide, visitors take a cycling tour (bikes are provided) through the temple complex and north toward the south gate of Angkor Thom, to check out the centerpiece of this ancient city, the Bayon temple.
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The couple arrived to the sound of bagpipes at Middle Temple - one of the ancient Inns of Court - where the duke is an honorary barrister and member of the institution's governing body.
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At ancient Angkor, for example, Phnom Bakheng temple is a prime spot for sunset viewing, which results in a lot of tourists congregating, climbing on ancient sculptures and platforms, and leaving empty water and beer bottles.
Having planted themselves centuries ago, the tree's serpentine roots pry apart the ancient stones and their immense trunks straddle the once bustling Buddhist temple.
For a taste of more ancient beliefs, any itinerary should include a marae, or Polynesian temple.
Built in 1562, Middle Temple is one of the four Inns of Court -- four ancient societies for lawyers in the UK -- located on three acres of gardens between Fleet Street and the River Thames.
This temple, built in the late 15th century, is a major monument of Jain architecture, an ancient ascetic faith based on nonviolence.
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