The annual national monastic assembly of both of the Kingdom’s Buddhist sects has agreed to allow monks to contribute to humanitarian affairs. This includes visiting civilians who have been displaced by the recent border conflicts, as well as troops and the national police, and distributing gifts to them.
This decision was made during the annual national monastic assembly, held from November 17-19. It was presided over by Senate president Hun Sen, who represented King Norodom Sihamoni.
“In order to contribute to alleviating social hardships, the leaders of each hierarchies and monks nationwide should share in humanitarian work by visiting war refugees, heroic troops and heroic Khmer national police officers who possess a high spirit of sacrifice in national defence,” said Point 1 of the November 19 assembly outcome.
“This aims to contribute alongside the Royal Government, which is occupied with the mission of serving the motherland and the cause of protecting peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity for the people and the Nation, Religion and King,” it added.
Regarding the daily lives of Buddhists, the General Assembly regards the Tripitaka as a crucial document that Buddhists should study, research and practice in their daily lives. On this basis, the Board of Supreme Patriarchs of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Cults and Religions and the Secretariat of Supreme Sangha, will organise a chanting of the Tripitaka every five years, for a duration of three days.
At the regional level, a three-day chanting of the Tripitaka will be conducted annually, with five provinces taking part each time.
