Buddhism facing Trouble
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - Editor:
Until recently, Buddhism in Cambodia has encountered some horrible reputations, which caused by monks as well as its Buddhists while other religions are trying to persuade or indoctrinate Buddhists to believe in their religion.
Most of Cambodian people, who used to follow Buddhism, have already lost their confidence in this religion although it is considered a state religion. The Monks are the most important actors in preserving Buddha’s religion. Nonetheless, some of them seen to not care and they have violate the Buddhist laws like committing debaucheries, gambling and cheating etc.
According to the Buddhist laws, monks cannot even watch television or own any properties. At the present time TV is (almost) available for them even in their monasteries, especially in Phnom Penh. Some Buddhist monks watch pornographic video and then they are attempted to have love affair. Besides, some monks have been defrocked after they had raped women or sometimes female foreigners. This is the most outrageous we have seen ever so far. More than that, some monk chiefs in the countryside have been confirmed that they had love relationships or affair with ladies near the pagoda.
The majorities of Cambodians are asserted that they are Buddhists, yet they do not follow the Buddhist laws like the monks. They have lost mutual understanding, helping, and forgiveness when they have problem with each other and sometimes they even attempt to kill or have rancor with one another. Are these the Buddhists?
If the same issues still happen, the Buddhism will disappear one day because the monks and the Buddhists ignore the Buddhist laws.
