(Kampong Thom): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the Ministry of Cults and Religions to thoroughly study and oversee religious practices in the country. While properly established religions deserve respect, any faith-based movement that deviates from recognized doctrine must be carefully examined.
Samdech Thipadei spoke on Thursday (Jul. 3) during a groundbreaking ceremony of the Cambodian People's Party headquarters in Kampong Thom province.
“We currently have three major religions in Cambodia,” Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet noted. “But recently, there’s been the emergence of so-called Brahmanic beliefs, with individuals appearing as reclusive hermits and ascetics. I’ve instructed (Minister of Cults and Religions) Chay Borin to study this clearly because each religion has a legitimate foundation and code of conduct.”
He continued, "Religions grounded in authentic doctrine deserve our respect, but we must clearly identify boundaries. Some individuals exploit religion for personal or misleading purposes. That’s why legitimate religions must be honoured, while those that create confusion in society must be monitored closely.”
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet added that while Buddhism is Cambodia’s primary religion, people also have some understanding of Islam. In contrast, Brahmanism remains unfamiliar primarily to most Cambodians. Recently, Minister of Culture Phoeurng Sackona initiated consultations with royal palace spiritual leaders to clarify acceptable practice boundaries and ensure protection against exploitation.
He cited specific examples: “We’ve seen some so-called hermits begging for alms while others take wives, and that is contradictory behaviour. In some areas, we’ve seen excessive practices among followers. If someone chooses a path of devotion, they may proceed, but they should not promote themselves publicly inappropriately. For instance, portraying oneself as divine beings like Indra or Deva is unacceptable.”
On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei stressed the responsibility of the Ministry of Cults and Religions to ensure clarity and continuity in overseeing all religious practices. “We must guarantee religious freedom while upholding genuine religious values. That is the ministry’s duty, as well as the duty of religious leaders and all stakeholders, to work together to preserve the clarity and integrity of religion in our society.”
The premier concluded, “The value of religion depends on the authenticity of its practice. If distorted or misused, it leads to harm, not just for religion but also social harmony.”
=FRESH NEWS
