She sometimes felt like a plant taken out of rich Cambodian soil. Uprooted. Strangely, the US no longer felt like home to her. She was re-learning. Most of her reactions or impulses, wrong. 

Her mind constantly wondered. Her focus unresolved. The silliest thing, a flood of memories.

She felt as though she belonged in a village. It’s the same feeling she felt 8 years ago, uprooted, committed to a land that didn’t feel as comfortable as "home" should. 

The people she had loved there had been a home. 

Where God's peace and provision abound, that is home. 

She is "homesick", and can’t help tears at the most sporadic and inconvenient times. Confused. 

Thankful for sunglasses. 

She smiles to herself - a different person had come home. She was a woman, and not a 20-something girl anymore. She had loved and learned and worked and grown. 

And as it had done to others before her, the beauty and struggles of Cambodians and all she had become there crept into her soul. It is now her. And it was hard to find it applicable. 

The lifestyle in the country she had been born to had largely become strange to her. She had become a different, worn, strong woman. And they wouldn’t know how, other than small glimpses or impassioned conversation. 

She smiles again. It's a terrible, wonderful secret. 

Here's a post that's long overdue.  But I'm doing some thinking today.


A day in the life of a Cambodian :: giving daily money to the monks or 'loke song' 

1 of 2 things that make me cringe is verboseness (the other is rhetoric).  I try to make blog entries short - sometimes too short - but enjoy this is good one today. 

Since monks aren't supposed to eat after 12 noon, mornings are their opportunity to do their duties

of sending blessings to the people or their ancestors of others, and collect food for their big meal.

Easy Facts: 

- They're barefoot.  

- They're carrying a large silver pot to collect rice.  

- They're also carrying a satchel bag to receive money, soda, cigarettes, incense and snacks etc.

In return for donations the givers receive merit or 'bonn' from the monks. 

Also in return for the donation, their deceased ancestors may receive part of what they give. 

Adults usually do the offering, but ironically the only pictures I could sneak 

- yes, you shouldn't photograph monks - 

were these of children.

When I look at these pictures, 3 things immediately come to mind... 

1) the cycle itself... seeking merit from a human you potentially grew up with (although you should believe they've been reincarnated).... in hopes of something better... but without a knowledge of what the specifics of 'better' are, or if you're doing well on that road or not...  

 Its hard to put into words but you see the direction my curiosity. 

2) the evolution of Buddhism mingled with animism (ancestor worship) has created an 

"unfair" system that requires monetary or goods giving to attain life merit... 

if you're poor and can't give...then... do you have no hope of life merit or eternity? 

3) kids learn this behavior from their parents and/or grandparents. They're coached, 

or asked to do it in lieu of the busy elders. 

Let's unpack it as it marinates.

1)  People never know if they're giving enough to gain luck and eternity. Buddha only showed them the road to enlightenment, not the road markers or destination indicators. 

 They are faced with the fact that monks use the money for many things they may not agree with  (such as travel, soccer games, and cigarettes), but resolve to the fact that their lot is suffering and

that the life of a monk is an elevated one having been reincarnated into a monk.  

    And for this suffering (and striving) they're gaining life merit and will be rewarded in their next 

life for it. 

Its nearly Neutonian. 'Twa la'al ban la'al'.  Do good get good. Except it doesn't level out. 

We all know a lot of good folks that didn't "get" good in life. Or bad that weren't repaid bad. 

Moving on.

#2  While Buddhism seems prevalent, what they practice is animism - the worship of ancestors for protection, luck, favor, and the like.  Most believe in reincarnation, 

stemming from Buddhism's roots in Hinduism (Buddha was born in India 563BC) 

and believe that a monk is the highest level of reincarnation 

(animals, plants, and other humans being the lesser and former). 

This style they've adapted and adapted to requires to give something in order to get something, 

and incorporates a fear factor that the original road of Buddha with 8 Truths didn't. 

What if you have nothing to give? The poor?  The widows? The young? 

How do you get 'bonn' (life merit)? 

Ask me about my funeral example. The believe system of Cambodia has invented a new way. 

#3  Sincerity, wisdom, experience, or intention doesn't impact the blessing being received. 

Does the monetary amount they give? Does the frequency?   

You can look around. You can talk to others simultaneously. You can smoke... with your shoes on.  

It also reiterates tradition or beliefs are, for the most part, handed down - thus highlighting 

the oversight or laziness of the parents in impacting the faith of their kids. 

Interesting stuff.  Over and under simplified for the sake of a blog :)