Indian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Studies

Buddhist Monasticism: A Case Study of Improvement to Social Well-Being in Cambodia

Theravada Buddhists make up about 95% of the population of Cambodia, where the Buddha is practised and where monks are highly valued members of the public. Buddhism has contributed significantly to Cambodia's societal well-being and is a component of the social order's development. However, the people and society of Cambodia place a high value on social well-being. Regretfully, the Khmer Rouge ruined Cambodian society’s well-being between April 17, 1975, and 07 January 1979. Millions of people lost their lives in this civil war in Cambodia because of the Khmer Rouge's starvation tactics and the isolation of the nation from the outside world. Monks were murdered and made to lay down their lives, and other monasteries were destroyed. Additionally, there needed to be more clarity in both private and public education. Buddhism was revived after the Khmer Rouge regime, and as monks who had fled from monasteries during the purges were reorganised, the religion gradually started to grow again. With lay Buddhists' help, they returned to the monasteries to reconstruct and reestablish them. After the Khmer Rouge era, Buddhism in Cambodia saw a significant rebirth thanks to the dedication of Buddhist monks, particularly Ven. Maha Ghosananda. There are two sects of Buddhism in Cambodia: Mahānikāya and Dhammayuttikanikāya. Buddhism in Cambodia has been expanding and changing throughout the nation under the direction of lay and monastic Buddhists.