Cambodian Religion

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Cambodian Religion

• With a focus on Buddhism and the Environment

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• Theravada Buddhism is Cambodia's dominant
  religion.

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In the words of Buddha

• One is the way to gain, the other is the way to
  nirvana knowing this fact, students of Buddha
  should not take pleasure in being honoured, but
  should practice detachment.

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In the words of Buddha

• Study the following quotations attributed to the
  Buddha.
• What insights do you gain from these quotes about
  the Buddhist approach to the environment?

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In the Words of Buddha

• Let us live most happily, possessing nothing let
  us Feed on joy , like the radiant gods.
• DHAMMAPADADA15.4

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In the words of Buddha

• Abstain from killing and from taking what is not
  given. Abstain from unchastity and from speaking
  falsely. Do not accept gold and silver.
• Khuddakapatha 2

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In the words of Buddha

• Just as a mother would protect her only child at
  the risk of her own life, even so, cultivate a
  boundless heart towards all beings. Let your
  thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole
  world.
• SUTTA NIPATA 149-150

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ANGKOR WAT

• The most famous temples in Cambodia , of course
  are the temples of Angkor wat.
• Built with the aim to worship Hindu Gods, they
  have , over time become the focus for Buddhist
  worship.

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Neak Pean Temple

• Built in XIIth century under Jayavarman VII's
  administration, a big pond surrounded with stairs
  and a sanctuary in the centre on a small island.
  The pilgrims came to the time there to make it
  their sacred ablutions. 4 overflows symbolize 4
  rivers which took their source on the same lake
  meadows of the Kailash Mountain in the Tibet.

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• The temple becomes more accessible in the dry
  season.
• It is still used as a focus of Buddhist worship
  today.

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• Cambodian people today still believe that the
  water and plants around this temple are holy.

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• Cambodians collect plants from this sacred area
  and make medicines from the vegetation .
• Neak Pean is regarded as having great healing
  power largely due to the central nature of water
  to this temple.

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• The lution altar is used as a part of religious
  rituals . Washing in these holy waters is
  regarded as holy and healing.

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• This is a healing place largely because of the
  force of the natural elements coming together and
  having healing powers.

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• The statue of the Buddha represents the healing
  power of fire

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• The elephant , known as an animal to frequent
  aquatic areas , is a symbol of water.
• Water is essential to the power of healing.

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• Horses , of course , run like the wind.
• The horse symbolises the healing element of wind.

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• The monkey is native to Cambodia
• Buddhists see the monkey in connection with the
  earth. The earth completes the combined power of
  natural elements.