Hi! While Buddhism is the State religion and almost everyone is Buddhist in Cambodia, I read that - after the KR massacred the monks - Dharma transmission is quite hard nowadays. And that many Khmers - like Thais - ordain as monks for 1 year or so, meaning there are few people left helping in the long term.

Is this reflected in what you see? And are there Dharma meetings open to foreigners (meaning in English)?

THANKS!

Complex subject, read Cambodian Buddhism: History and Practice, By Ian Harris

full pdf download of the book here: http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documen ... Harris.pdf

Interesting read here, rather sad tale of barang Buddhist monking in Cambodia.

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/a-eulogy ... n-cambodia

From my limited understanding and observation Buddhism has become more of a mundane tradition now a day where people only go to pagodas during festivals just because. Whereas Thais on the other hand are more devoted.

From my conversations with a few younger monks their Buddhism understandings mostly regurgitate from their predecessors and families. I debated with friends and acquaintances about how can one make a living off the blood and sweat of others, disrespect other human beings and similar conducts then go to the pagoda asking Bhudda for longevity, good and healthy for this and next life, going to heaven etc for themselves and their ancestors. Most of the time it just ended up with a shrug.

There are respected monks out there, but they are mostly in isolated areas therefore less publicity and less contribution from pagoda goers unlike urban pagodas. When I say respected I mean they seem to manage detached themselves from worldly materialism, living a monk's life and according to the Buddhism doctrine; from limited observation anyway.

Thank you all! I am reading the links you sent.

Good points FC, I think that applies to all forms of organize spirituality. Same as you, I don't know how people can have opposite double-standards, one for when they are at a "spiritual place" and one for their daily life, and feel that is coherent.

JBT, I finished the interesting article. Not sure what to say. Probably many members of groups belonging to "organized spirituality" are the same, thinking more about earthly benefits of their position than the well-being of the people they should help.

Still, there are westerners who are very respected in SEA, see for example Ajahn Sumedho to name one.

For the monk in the article, I am afraid his past caught up with him. Denied visas etc. may have to do something with his past record. Sorry to see his fellow monks - who should know very well about impermanence - were not able to understand people do change.

Cheers.