Race finest temples, monks sometimes not attached to Buddhist principles ... These religious institutions abandoned
Gradually their missions home and support to the poorest.
Peacefully located on a mat with her five young children, Pitch Thoeun lives for eight months in a house of wood and corrugated iron in the pagoda Samaki Raingsey, commonly known as Kampuchea Krom pagoda, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
Raised by monks, the walls take the place of refuge for seven families who were all forced to leave their homes for social or economic reasons.
"I fled my husband who beat me every day, Pitch Thoeun mumbles, from a village in Kandal province. Look at this gash on the head of my son [a large dark scar across the scalp, ed] is the result of both an ax he was dealt. "
Upon his arrival at Phnom Penh, without jobs or relatives for support, it is resolved first to sleep in the streets before seeking assistance monks, on the advice of its neighbors. Yoeun Sin, the venerable (chief monks) agrees immediately to the lodge. In addition to receiving the food and shelter, her children attend a teacher once a week in a classroom arranged in the dining room. For
Yoeun Sin, the pagoda is invested with a social mission.
"The monks can not close their eyes when face destitution. Otherwise, what then is the pagoda? "He asks. This policy of welcome and support is a priority for him.
Still, the side of refugees, this pagoda is an exception. "The poor are not welcome in other pagodas in Phnom Penh, Pitch Thoeun storm. We dare not even cross the threshold! "
In other words, the Khmer pagodas have, over the years, abandoned their social role.
An "average budget" of $ 70 000, a charge that rejects
Sim Sor Yun, the venerable pagoda Saravann Phnom Penh, which has 265
monks and 300 students. Although he admits "prohibit the poor to stay here, to avoid chaos sets in, particularly because of the children." No place is also home for this purpose.
Apart from a trunk for the Red Cross, the Venerable has initiated any action for the needy.
same for Wat Langka pagoda, near the site of the monument of Independence. According Sariddh Hour, a monk of 38 years, "the poor are usually asked to go to NGOs, with whom some monks are close. "
Yet in the past two pagodas, no shortage of funds. Sor Yun Sim and have raised over 70,000 dollars in donations last year. An "average budget" for a "pagoda average," smiled the venerable, which states that "the largest pagodas can collect more than 200,000 dollars in donations annually.
Besides small private donations from wealthy businessmen and government figures regularly offer large sums to the temples they sponsor. For
Pagoda Saravann the names of these donors are on the outside wall of the remains of the venerable. And significant CPP, the party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, there are prominent.
Thus, Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Kep Chuktéma, Governor of Phnom Penh, "recently signed checks of 15 000 and 5000 dollars.
"Modernization"
Far from being used for charitable or educational projects, these funds are fully intended to "modernize" the premises, as explained Yun Sim Sor.
"Right now, we build four new cells to replace old, wooden," he announces proudly.
Like its counterparts throughout the country, the venerable embarked on a race to the most beautiful pagoda. "We must demonstrate to donors that their money is well spent," says he, seeing in these buildings the way of attracting new followers. His next project? "The renovation of the wall, as ours, which cost only $ 300 three meters, is getting old. The wall I want to build cost 1500 dollars three meters, like the pagoda of Wat Langka, "he says. For the competitor
downtown is no exception. Not long ago, work began to replace old cells with modern buildings. Fifteen workers, supported in their task by a backhoe, are working on this site. New buildings should be completed in a few months. "This brouhaha will never stop, complains a student. Once this project is completed, a new start. That's why I prefer to study at the library, quiet. "
From Sim Sor Yun Pagoda fulfills its social role as these buildings benefit monks and students, mostly from poor provincial families.
As for practitioners, this way of using Donations are not offensive. Instead, Kim Huoy, a housewife of 56 years, is delighted that "there are more and more beautiful temples, beautiful fences and cells. "A beautiful pagoda pagoda is a powerful, she says. And if a pagoda is powerful, people give. "
" Materialism "If
is careful not to criticize the policy of public works, Yoeun Sin, the venerable pagoda of the Khmer Krom, however, sees" a growing influence of materialism. " "I would prefer that the competition focuses on Buddhist principles," he adds.
In fact, in many cases, faith is not the primary motivation in making pants. Holds a double master in management and finance, Sariddh Hour, a monk of the pagoda of Wat Langka, sees his religious commitment as a springboard. "I'm from a very poor farming family. I first chose to become a monk to study, be able to go to university, "he says in perfect English. "I will not be a monk my whole life. Thereafter, I plan to work in private. But this is the case for the majority of the 220 monks at Wat Langka ... "he continues. In his
cod (his bedroom) throne full panoply of the perfect university: a library full of books finance, laptop, hi-fi. On the walls, the Buddhist principles coexist with economic conventions. "The government plans, private investments and provide citizens and labor supply," can you read. "It's just theory. There is no inconsistency between my studies and the fact that I am a monk, "says he.
Network and piston
Hour Sariddh proves yet evasive when talking about how he came to the pagoda. Just admit it to have benefited of "contacts" with some monks. Yet, according to several students, are from a poor family is not enough. By Veasna for an agricultural student 28 years residing at Wat Saravann, places are expensive and there is no salvation without a network or piston. "Many of my friends would be in my place," he smiled. Like many, I got my place here because my family knew my cell leader, originally from Kampong Cham, like me. "At the pagoda
Saravann, a 20 year old student, who wishes to remain anonymous out of joint by referring to the vocation of monks. "I lived here for four years. It anarchy, they do not behave like real monks. Some talk on the phone with girls until midnight, others play music until no time, he gets carried away.
Peter Way and Ung Chansophea
Copyright Hedbo Cambodge Soir, subscribe
rating blogger: This article denouncing the pagodas bling Capital ignores the miserable life of the monks who reside in the province.
SreAmbel, Cambodia France 
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