Buddhism is the dominant religion in Cambodia, with about 97% of the population identifying as Buddhists. Buddhism has been present in Cambodia since at least the 5th century, and has shaped the culture, values, and identity of the Khmer people. Buddhism has also played a vital role in the history, politics, and development of Cambodia. In this article, we will explore the role and influence of Buddhism in Cambodian society and culture.
The History of Buddhism in Cambodia
Buddhism entered Cambodia through two different streams. The first stream was Mahayana Buddhism, which was brought by Indian merchants and missionaries to the Kingdom of Funan, the earliest recorded state in Cambodia. Mahayana Buddhism flourished in Funan and its successor states, such as Chenla and Zhenla, until the 9th century.
The second stream was Theravada Buddhism, which was introduced by Mon monks and missionaries from the Kingdoms of Dvaravati and Haripunchai, which were located in present-day Thailand. Theravada Buddhism gradually replaced Mahayana Buddhism as the dominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia, especially during the Angkor Empire, which ruled most of Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century.
Theravada Buddhism reached its peak during the reign of King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218), who was a devout Buddhist and a great patron of art and architecture. He built many temples, hospitals, schools, and roads throughout his empire, and promoted a compassionate and egalitarian society based on Buddhist principles.
However, Theravada Buddhism declined after the fall of Angkor to the Thai Kingdom of Ayutthaya in the 15th century. Buddhism was suppressed by successive Hindu kings, who tried to restore the Brahmanical religion and culture. Buddhism also faced challenges from Islam, which spread among the Cham minority and some coastal areas.
Buddhism was revived in the 19th century under the French protectorate, which recognized Buddhism as the state religion and supported its education and administration. However, Buddhism also faced challenges from Christianity, which was propagated by French missionaries and colonial authorities.
Buddhism suffered a great tragedy during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979), which attempted to eradicate all forms of religion and culture in Cambodia. Thousands of monks were killed or disrobed, and thousands of temples were destroyed or desecrated. It is estimated that only 3,000 monks survived out of 65,000 before the regime.
Buddhism was restored after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, with the help of surviving monks, refugees, and international organizations. Buddhism has since regained its status as the state religion and has been enshrined in the constitution. Buddhism has also been involved in the peace and reconciliation process after decades of civil war and genocide.
The Practice of Buddhism in Cambodia
The practice of Buddhism in Cambodia is mainly based on Theravada Buddhism, which follows the Pali Canon as its main source of scripture. Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the attainment of nirvana, or liberation from suffering, through personal effort and discipline. Theravada Buddhists follow the Four Noble Truths, which are:
- The truth of suffering (dukkha), which means that all existence is impermanent, unsatisfactory, and without self.
- The truth of the origin of suffering (samudaya), which means that suffering is caused by craving (tanha) for sensual pleasures, existence, or non-existence.
- The truth of the cessation of suffering (nirodha), which means that suffering can be ended by eliminating craving.
- The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (magga), which means that there is a way to overcome suffering by following the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path consists of eight factors that lead to moral conduct, mental development, and wisdom. They are:
- Right view (samma ditthi), which means to understand the Four Noble Truths and karma (the law of cause and effect).
- Right intention (samma sankappa), which means to have wholesome thoughts free from greed, hatred, and delusion.
- Right speech (samma vaca), which means to speak truthfully, kindly, politely, and beneficially.
- Right action (samma kammanta), which means to act morally by abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.
- Right livelihood (samma ajiva), which means to earn a living by honest and harmless means.
- Right effort (samma vayama), which means to exert oneself to prevent or abandon unwholesome states of mind and to cultivate or maintain wholesome states of mind.
- Right mindfulness (samma sati), which means to be aware of one’s body, feelings, mind, and phenomena in the present moment.
- Right concentration (samma samadhi), which means to develop a calm and focused mind through meditation.
Theravada Buddhists also observe the Five Precepts, which are the basic ethical guidelines for lay followers. They are:
- To abstain from killing any living being.
- To abstain from taking what is not given.
- To abstain from sexual misconduct.
- To abstain from false speech.
- To abstain from intoxicating drinks and drugs that cloud the mind.
Theravada Buddhists also practice various forms of meditation, such as mindfulness of breathing, loving-kindness, and insight. Meditation is seen as a way to purify the mind, develop concentration, and gain insight into the true nature of reality.
Theravada Buddhists also venerate the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the monastic community) as the Three Jewels of refuge. They also pay respect to various Bodhisattvas, who are beings who have attained enlightenment but postpone their entry into nirvana to help others. The most popular Bodhisattva in Cambodia is Avalokiteshvara, who is known as Lokesvara or Lokanatha, and is associated with compassion and mercy.
Theravada Buddhists also celebrate various festivals and ceremonies throughout the year, such as:
- Magha Puja, which commemorates the gathering of 1,250 enlightened disciples of the Buddha who spontaneously assembled to hear his sermon on the principles of Buddhism.
- Vesakha Puja, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
- Asalha Puja, which marks the first sermon of the Buddha after his enlightenment, in which he taught the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
- Vassa, which is the three-month rainy season retreat for monks, during which they stay in one place and devote themselves to intensive study and meditation.
- Pchum Ben, which is a 15-day festival dedicated to honoring and making offerings to the ancestors and departed relatives.
- Kathina, which is a ceremony in which lay followers offer robes and other necessities to monks after their Vassa retreat.
- Meak Bochea, which commemorates the miraculous event when 1,250 enlightened disciples of the Buddha gathered without prior notice to hear his sermon on the essence of Buddhism.
The Role of Buddhism in Cambodian Society and Culture
Buddhism has played a significant role in shaping Cambodian society and culture in various aspects, such as:
- Education: Buddhism has been a source of education and literacy for Cambodians since ancient times. Buddhist temples were the main centers of learning where monks taught various subjects such as Pali, Sanskrit, Khmer, history, geography, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, etc. Buddhist texts were also preserved and transmitted in temples. Many Cambodian kings and leaders were educated by Buddhist monks. Even today, many Cambodian children receive their primary education in temples.
- Art: Buddhism has inspired many forms of art in Cambodia, such as architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance, literature, etc. Buddhist temples are among the most magnificent and elaborate structures in Cambodia, such as Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, etc. Buddhist statues and images are among the most exquisite and revered artworks in Cambodia, such as the Emerald Buddha, the Reclining Buddha, etc. Buddhist paintings and murals depict various scenes from the life of the Buddha and his previous lives. Buddhist music and chants are among the most soothing and sacred sounds in Cambodia. Buddhist dances are among the most graceful and elegant expressions in Cambodia, such as Apsara dance, Robam Tep Monorom (dance of celestial beings), etc. Buddhist literature is among the most profound and poetic works in Cambodia, such as Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha’s previous lives), Reamker (the Khmer version of Ramayana), etc.
- Ethics: Buddhism has provided a moral framework and guidance for Cambodians to live by. Buddhist values such as compassion, generosity, honesty, humility, patience, tolerance, and non-violence are embedded in Cambodian culture and society. Buddhist teachings such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Five Precepts, and the Law of Karma are widely accepted and followed by Cambodians. Buddhist rituals such as offering food and alms to monks, visiting temples, meditating, chanting, etc. are practiced regularly by Cambodians to cultivate their morality and spirituality.
- Identity: Buddhism has been a source of identity and pride for Cambodians since ancient times. Buddhism has helped Cambodians to preserve and promote their culture and heritage in the face of foreign invasions, colonialism, and genocide. Buddhism has also helped Cambodians to cope with and overcome the trauma and suffering caused by war, violence, and poverty. Buddhism has also helped Cambodians to unify and reconcile their differences and conflicts among themselves and with their neighbors. Buddhism has also helped Cambodians to express and celebrate their diversity and uniqueness as a nation.
List of references:
• [1]: A History of Buddhism in Cambodia by Ian Harris
• [2]: The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia by Donald K. Swearer
• [3]: Buddhism in Cambodia: Rupture and Continuity by John Marston
• [4]: The Theravada Buddhist Encounter with Modernity by Juliane Schober
• [5]: Buddhism in Contemporary Cambodia: Continuity and Change by Alexandra Kent
