by

Role of Religion in Siem Reap

An Overview

Theravada Buddhism, which is the oldest surviving Buddhist school of thought, is Cambodia’s official religion. Also known as “the Teaching of the Eldest”, the religion was founded in India and is practiced by 95% of the population in Cambodia.  About 2% of the Cambodians practice Islam and Christianity respectively, whereas the rest of the population practices Animism and Hinduism.

The Beginnings

Buddhism was introduced into Cambodia through two different streams, firstly from Hindu merchants in the Funan kingdom (the earliest forms of Buddhism with Hindu influences) and secondly through Khmer culture during the Angkor empire when the kingdoms of Dvaravati and Haripunchai were absorbed into Cambodia.  As such, the history of Buddhism stretches across nearly two thousand years!

It is interesting to note that Cambodia was ruled by mostly Hindu Kings in the early years of the Khmer Empire, with the occasional Buddhist King.  This meant that the official religion then was Hinduism, alongside Buddhism, and Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple in the world.

When the Angkor Empire was established, the primary religion became that of Mahayana Buddhism, which is a collection of teachings with doctrines that are able to coexist simultaneously.  This is a more liberal form of Buddhism as opposed to Theravada, which is the orthodox traditional form of Buddhism from the early schools.

The Developments

Theravada Buddhism became the official religion in the 13th century, when Prince Tamalinda (a senior monk) came back after studying at the Mahavihara Monastery in Sri Lanka and rejected the innovative Mahayana Buddhist practices. Mahayana Buddhists believe in achieving ultimate enlightenment (known as nirvana) by liberating others. Theravada Buddhists, on the other hand, strive toward nirvana through self-enlightenment and libration.

Though Christianity was introduced into Cambodia in 1660, the Roman Catholic missionaries did not manage to successfully convert the staunch Buddhist population.  Islam, on the other hand, was the religion of the Muslim minority groups in Cambodia, especially the Cham.

In 1975, religion was suppressed by the Khmer Rouge when it took control of Cambodia.  Buddhism was almost destroyed in Cambodia, as nearly every temple or religious place was ruined. Monks and religious intellectuals were also executed.  Those who survived were driven into exile.  The number of monks dwindled from nearly 80,000 to only 3,000 in 1980 when the Buddhist restoration took place.  Although Theravada Buddhist was recognized as the state religion again, Buddhist practices were still suppressed up till 1988 when many restrictions were removed.

Buddhist monks were revered in Cambodian life, and were often called upon to say prayers of blessing.  Before the civil war led by the Khmer Rouge,  it was customary for young men over the age of 16 to be ordained as monks (known as bonzes) at least once in their lives, as a rite of passage into adulthood, not unlike the practices in Thailand.

Cambodia Religious

Cambodian Buddhist monks shave people's heads for their being ordain (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

The Present

Today, Buddhism continues to play an important role in the life of most Cambodians. There are now around 50,000 monks and novices. Each village has its Buddhist temple (also known as wat) with residences and a hall for eating and classes. Buddhist ceremonies are also evident in Cambodians’ daily lives such as births, weddings and funerals. At the heart of a Buddhist life is earning merit. As such, it is very common to see Buddhists in Cambodia giving the gifts of money and food to monks.

religion5

A woman saying prayers while giving the gift of food to monks (Source: ferenc.biz)

Although most Cambodians subscribe to a major religion, they also believe in animism and/or ancestral worship. In the corners of pagodas, one can often find small guardian spirit shrines. There are also sorcerers in the villagers that one can call on to appease spirits.

Similar to many communities, it is not difficult to see the many ways in which Cambodians turn to religion for their social and emotional needs.

Cambodia Dispute

Where religion and daily life are closely integrated in Cambodia (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

religion2

Buddha statue in a temple (Source: Cambodiatourism.com)

religion3

Worshippers seeking blessings from Buddhist monk (Source: TourismCambodia.com)

    Bibliography

  1. http://www.tourismcambodia.com/tripplanner/general/religion.htm
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada
  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Cambodia
  4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Cambodia
  5. http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/world/country/016Buddhism%20in%20Cambodia.htm
  6. http://www.world66.com/asia/southeastasia/cambodia/culture
  7. http://www.holiday-in-angkor-wat.com/cambodian-religion.html
  8. http://www.wisegeek.com/topics/theravada-buddhism.htm#
  9. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mahayana-buddhism.htm

Posted by Wei Tsu Leong and Clara Tang

1,404 thoughts on “Role of Religion in Siem Reap”

  1. The more articles you write, the more I am more and more amazed at your abilities. And these articles proved it to me. It’s another day when I want to find a good article to read. enhance my knowledge And I found your article, it’s really great. and i like the most. wm slot

  2. Planning your next hill vacation? Choose Bliss Hotel & Resorts, one of the Best 3-Star & 4-Star Hotels in Shimla. Enjoy cozy accommodations, fine dining, and mountain views that inspire peace and relaxation. With a perfect blend of comfort and elegance, our resort guarantees a memorable stay for every guest. Discover true Himalayan hospitality with Bliss Hotel & Resorts — where every stay feels like a dream escape.

  4. TECHOM Systems ensures your move to the cloud is both efficient and secure through our specialized Cloud Migration Security solutions. We protect your critical assets during every stage of migration—planning, transfer, and deployment—by identifying risks, applying encryption, and enforcing compliance standards. Our experts design end-to-end protection strategies to prevent data loss, unauthorized access, and misconfigurations that often occur during cloud transitions. We integrate robust monitoring and threat detection to safeguard your cloud workloads. With TECHOM Systems, your organization gains peace of mind knowing that migration security is handled with precision, transparency, and adherence to global security frameworks like ISO and GDPR.

  6. Android Tracker by Spy Human is your ultimate tool for real-time mobile monitoring. It helps you track call logs, messages, GPS locations, and social media activities directly from your dashboard. Designed specifically for Android devices, this app offers accurate and seamless tracking without compromising privacy. Parents can ensure their children’s safety, and employers can manage company phones effectively. With easy installation and intuitive controls, Spy Human makes digital tracking simple and efficient. Protect your loved ones and business with Spy Human’s Android Tracker, the most reliable and secure tracking solution for modern Android users.

  8. Nice information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and inspiration, both of which I need, thanks to offer such a helpful information here سایت اصلی دنس بت

  9. Great read! Really appreciate the helpful insights here. For anyone looking to try out online casinos in Malaysia, testing out the Pussy888 ID Test is a smart choice. It’s an easy way to get a feel for the games and features without having to deposit right away. Looking forward to seeing more content like this!

  10. Great read! If you’re in Malaysia and looking to boost your winning chances, definitely explore 918Kiss High RTP slots. They’re known for better payouts and an exciting gaming experience. Appreciate the valuable info – keep it up!

  14. Experience nonstop entertainment with Winbox88my2.my — your trusted destination for interactive games, live entertainment, and exciting challenges. Play securely, earn amazing prizes, and enjoy 24/7 fun anytime, anywhere!

  16. It’s astoundingly valuable and you are plainly to a great degree capable around there. You have opened my eyes to moving viewpoints on this point with charming and solid substance. سایت حضرات

  17. Upgrade your workspace with expert Commercial Window Tinting in Adelaide by Tint Bros Brighton. Our premium films reduce glare, heat, and UV rays, creating a more comfortable and energy-efficient environment. Ideal for offices, retail spaces, and commercial buildings across South Australia (SA), our tinting solutions improve privacy, protect interiors, and enhance your building’s professional look.

  19. This is an excellent post I seen thanks to share it. It is really what I wanted to see hope in future you will continue for sharing such a excellent post dancebet vip

  21. Ensure the safety of your family or business with the advanced Mobile Location Tracker. This tool offers accurate real-time tracking, allowing you to view the exact location of any device instantly. Perfect for parents keeping an eye on their kids or employers managing teams, it works smoothly on Android phones. SpyHuman’s technology ensures accuracy, privacy, and effortless monitoring — helping you stay connected with what matters most.

  22. I was running short of time to complete assignments. Then I prefer to take assignment help in India from experts to write and complete my project. The team of experts has sound knowledge of the subject and they are well aware of research sources to explore information in fast mode. They use proper strategy and approach to prepare assignments fast and efficient way. It has helped me to get timely delivery of assignments and meet the deadline. کازینو آنلاین

  29. I am no longer certain where you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend a while finding out much more or figuring out more. Thanks for fantastic info I used to be in search of this info for my mission.

    togel online

  31. Attractive, post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have liked browsing your blog posts. After all, I will surely subscribe to your feed, and I hope you will write again soon! وین ایکس بت

  35. Prestige Evergreen is a premium residential apartment project in Varthur, Whitefield, East Bangalore. The project offers stunning 1, 2, 3 and 4 BHK apartments in expansive 28 acres of land.

  37. Nice to be visiting your blog once more, it has been months for me. Well this article that ive been waited for therefore long. i want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and it has same topic together with your article. Thanks, nice share هات بت

  38. What an insightful overview of Cambodia’s religious history! It’s fascinating how deeply Buddhism is integrated into daily life — from temples in every village to rituals for important life events. It reminds me how, in many rural communities, including where I work with tankeronline, access to clean water around temples and villages plays a vital role in supporting these traditions. Religion, culture, and basic needs like water are always beautifully interconnected.

  39. Discover a world of fun and entertainment at our gaming platform 7slotsmy, where every moment is filled with thrill and rewards. Enjoy interactive live experiences, engaging digital games, and exclusive welcome offers — all on a secure, user-friendly site. Join today and start your winning journey!

  40. I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me. I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it. Thanks for sharing such great information, I highly appreciate your hard-working skills as the post you published have some great information which is quite beneficial for me, I hope you will post more like that in the future. 사설토토

  41. “This is one that is so valuable and helpful I’ve been looking around for the differences between the two I’m interested in the two now I’m glad to be part of the hacking world and your blog it was amazing for me thanku so much sir. Thanks For Sharing Certified Ethcal hacking Information Very Good article.Thank you so much.

    ” 토토

  42. “Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.  I’m constantly searching on the internet for posts that will help me. Too much is clearly to learn about this. I believe you created good quality items in Functions also. Keep working, congrats!

    ” 토토

  43. Great Information sharing .. I am very happy to read this article .. thanks for giving us go through info.Fantastic nice. I appreciate this post. Extremely useful information which you have shared here about smm panel. This is a great way to enhance knowledge for us, and also beneficial for us. Thank you for sharing an article like this 안전놀이터

  45. Elevate your construction projects with precision and confidence! Say goodbye to budget overruns and guesswork and hello to accurate, data-driven planning. At estimating services in AU we specialize in delivering detailed cost estimates, material takeoffs, and project insights that bring your vision to life. Whether you’re a contractor, builder, or developer, our expert team ensures every estimate is accurate, efficient, and tailored to your project’s needs. Transform the way you plan and bid because success starts with the right estimate! Visit for more details: https://kellyestimating.com.au/

  49. This is a truly good site post. Not too many people would actually, the way you just did. I am really impressed that there is so much information about this subject that have been uncovered and you’ve done your best, with so much class. If wanted to know more about green smoke reviews, than by all means come in and check our stuff. 먹튀

  50. The purchase of foreign diplomas is a growing concern. Many people hope to obtain higher qualifications this way to enhance their career competitiveness. However, purchasing diplomas not only involves legal risks but can also damage an individual’s reputation and career. Therefore, it is essential to carefully assess the potential consequences before considering such an option. 购买文凭证书

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *