Buddhism in Cambodia

[Ben]

Hi all,

My daughter is travelling to Cambodia soon to work and I was wondering whether anyone here who is familiar with Buddhism in Cambodia can make any recommendations regarding important pagodas, monasteries and monuments for her to visit while she is there. That is, apart from Angkor Wat. She will be travelling in the country for a few weeks before she begins work which will be based in Phnom Penh.
with metta,

Ben

[alan]

Based on a few visits, it seems to me that Buddhism in Cambodia never really recovered from the Khmer Rouge era.

[Ben]

Yes, I was wondering about that.
Thanks, Alan.
kind regards,

Ben

[Sekha]

Well there are plenty of beautiful temples everywhere, as far as pure tourism is the interest

If religion is the interest I am afraid it will be disappointing. Giving money to the monks in the street seems there completely natural.

[LonesomeYogurt]

http://www.heartforpeace.net/

Bhikkhu Buddha Dhatu runs a wonderful peace mission there that focuses on Christian/Buddhist understanding. I've never been but I enjoy his writings quite a bit and I bet his monastery would be a great place to visit.

[Skeptic]

Buddhism in Cambodia need more time to recover, communists have almost completely destroyed the Sangha. But the good thing is that according to the last census 96.4% Cambodians are Buddhists, and according to studies about religiosity, Cambodia is among the most religious in the world. Theravada Buddhism is now the official state religion. So there is a lot of potential in this country, but in takes a lot of time to recover.

[pilgrim]

I am involved with Dhamma based charity work in Cambodia in the form of printing of books etc and visit about once a year. Thre are many temples and monks but the standard of practice and Vinaya among monks is extremely poor. There are few temples, if any , that a foreigner could visit for Dhamma instruction and practice. (except perhaps for a Goenka centre outside Battambang).

There is quite structured instruction in the monastic schools and universities, but hardly any at the Wats except for the Dhamma talks after dana in the local language. In Phnom Penh, I know of only 2 possibilities - the Buddhist Institute near the Naga casino and Wat Langka that used to offer Mahasi type instruction in English some time ago. You may try to get in touch with Ven. Yous Hut Khemacaro the teacher, who will be the best person to give further leads.

There is more going on in terms of social work. In this respect I can make a few recommendations

1. Beth Goldring involved with care for HIV patients and hospital visits http://www.brahmavihara.cambodiaaidsproject.org/
2. Salvation Centre Cambodia - HIV care and social work http://www.scc.org.kh/
3. Buddhist Library healthcare work (mostly south of PP). This might be of particular interest as it is run by Aussies from Sydney. http://www.buddhistlibrary.org.au/proje ... nformation
4. Wat Opot - a community run by a Buddhist-Christian partnership to care for HIV children http://www.watopot.org/contact-information/

[Hanzze]

I guess nowhere in the world is such an intensive "rebuilding" of religion (about 4.000 pagodas! and non of this buildings of them is much older as 30 years) as well as there is is no where in ther world such a strong deforstration (70% forest in the 70th to 13% in 2007).

Well the whole country works on their love affair and gain a lot of oversee support to increase it.

Buddhism is always deeply connected with enviroment. Mind has its reflecion in matters.

A city made of bones,
plastered over with flesh & blood,
whose hidden treasures are:
pride & contempt,
aging & death.

Dhp 150

But it is one of the rare places, where one can understand Dhamma and see the first and second noble truth easily, as well a place where you need to fight your defiments, where you want or not.

[Ben]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to my original question regarding Dhamma in Cambodia.
My daughter has been back in Australia for nearly a month now. When she was in Cambodia she was mostly busy working at Phnom Penh hospital but did some travelling to Siem Riep, Battambang and a short visit to Hanoi to get her visa renewed. I'm not sure how much of Buddhism she got to witness - I haven't yet had a long conversation about her adventures.
Her photographs, taken with a replica russian large-format film camera and an old Minolta film camera - are extraordinary.
She was also kind enough to bring home for me a gift of a beautiful carved wooden Buddha-rupa.
with metta,

Ben

[appicchato]

Photos?...

[Hanzze]

If there are people who are able to help, willing to help, have the metits to help, be compassioned to help and the needed wisdom to get not trapped by tanha, established in virtue by them self, able to teach, it would be more good to do so.

It would be no problem to fill pages with links and "projects" like this:
Online blessings from Cambodian Monks

Not to talk about normalities like Lexus Fourwheeldrive, Villas, Aircondition, Luxory, Million budgeds, Animal raicing projects, Restaurants selling meat and alcohol and the full begging-from-the-blind-faithful program...