COUNTRY: Cambodiaby Heng Sothea

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Cambodia

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1. Buddhism is the nation religion and it is based on three concepts: dharma(Buddhist doctrine), Karma(a belief that one live and future live are connected), and Sangha (Buddhist ascetic community).

3. Flag : The blue color symbolizes the country's royalty. The red represents the nation and the white represents the religion, beginning with Brahmanism, and the current major religion - Buddhism. The emblem of the temple represents the structure of the universe.

2. The King and His Royal family are the most respectable for all Khmer

Khmer Symbols

Rituals

• Khmer people greet to each other with Sampeah which is to put the palms together like a lotus to show their respect to other.

• We have many festivals such as Chol Chhnam Thmei(Khmer New Year), Cham Reun Preah Chun (King’s birthday), Pchum Ben, Om Touk Ok Ambok Sampeah Preah Khè Bandet Pratip(Reguatta Festival), etc. Khmer People have three days off for celebrating the above festivals.

Khmer Model• Most of Khmer take the King as their hero. Usually,

they have their parents in their mind because of the close relationship in the family.

The present-day advanced technology makes it possible for rapid communication among people across cultures. The opportunities to get in touch with groups of people belonging to different beliefs or cultures other than ours occur so easily that we are hardly aware of them. Therefore, if people are knowledgeable about different cultures, this will lead to a better understanding and peaceful mutual existence.

The Ministry of Culture has thus offered basic information concerning Khmer culture for the benefit of interested persons on the following topics:

a. Religionb. The monarchc. Social customs

THE DO’S AND DON’TS ACCORDING TO KHMER CULTURE

a. Religion

• Shoes or sandals must be removed before entering a Wat regardless of one's status in the society; this includes the king.

• Visitors should be appropriately attired. Men should wear shirts and pants; they should never go shirtless or in shorts. Women should not wear short skirts, low cut or open dresses that reveal the body, very colorful clothing or too much perfume.

• Inside the Wat, visitors sit with legs bent and both feet tucked to the side, Som Pas and bow to the floor three times.

• Women cannot touch a monk. If a woman wants to hand something to a monk, the object should be placed within reach of the monk, not handed directly to him. This restriction even applies to a monk’s mother.

• Monks sit on a platform or raised seat above the laity. However, if there is no platform or raised seat, monks are also allowed to sit on the floor or mat, if they sit upon a pillow or folded blanket which symbolizes a higher seating.

• Visitors always sit with their legs bent and feet tucked backward when the monks are seated.

• Never stand when talking to seated monks. It shows grave disrespect. • A Buddha statue, well kept or in ruins, is a sacred object, so do not

touch it or stand on the altar. • A monk can be addressed with “Venerable” followed by his

first name or whole name (last and first).

The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, which is also practised in neighbouring Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka(*)

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• Monks eat only breakfast and lunch, which have to be finished before noon. In the evening, monks are allowed to drink water, milk or tea. Any schedule or engagement should take this restriction into account.

• Food intended for monks should not be tasted before the monks eat it. • Climbing, sitting on, or leaning against a Buddha image, regardless

whether it is big or small, ruined or in good condition, genuine or a replica, is considered a disrespect to religious object. If one wants to have a picture taken with a Buddha image, do it in a polite manner that shows respect to the image.

• Buddha images should be placed in suitable places. Normally, Thais place Buddha images at a high level. Placing Buddha images on the floor, near the staircase, under a table or a chair, in the bathroom, or on the lawn should not be done, for it is considered a disrespect.

• Buddha images are sold as objects of worship, and not for any other purpose, since they are deemed to represent the Lord Buddha. Moreover, the use of Buddha images as trademarks for goods such as sweets, beverages, alcoholic drinks, toys, or the placing of Buddha images on articles used in daily life such as shoes, socks, swimwear, or underclothing is forbidden.

• A Buddha image is one of the most venerated objects made for worshipping. Therefore, in Cambodia several laws have been issued to protect Buddha images, for example, the unauthorized export of Buddha images from Cambodia is a violation of the law, and legal action will be taken against the offender.

b. The Monarch1. The Monarchy is an institution of worship. Any transgression to the

Monarchy either openly or secretly is a misdemeanor according to the Constitution.

2. Respect should be paid to the Monarchy.3. When entering the palace grounds, dress politely. Sleeveless shirts

or blouses, shorts, or sandals are not allowed.

1. Khmers greet one another with a ‘Sampeah’.2. Khmers consider the head to be venerable and thus one

should not touch anybody’s head. If touching anyone’s head by accident, it is wise to apologise to him/her immediately.

3. Khmers consider the feet to be lowly and thus one should not put one’s feet on the table or the chair, or point at people or things with one’s feet.

4. Expressing sexual feeling in public is unacceptable in the Khmer culture.

5. Any form of amusement during the Chol Chhnam Thmei or other traditional. Khmer festivals should be held to propagate the good traditions and express goodwill and pure intention. Water should not be thrown in the festival.

c. Social Customs

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• Hats should be removed. Cambodians wear hats for protection from the sun or rain rather than for style. It is disrespectful to wear hats inside a home.

• Visitors should remove their shoes before entering. Although it is not compulsory, Cambodians always insist upon removing their shoes even if they are told not to do so by the host. It is to show respect.

• Cambodians always offer drink such as water, tea or juice to their guests; sometimes food is also offered. To honor the host, the offer is accepted, even if the guest takes just a sip or a bite.

• Some homes use beds or mats for receiving guests. If that is the case, visitors should sit by tucking their feet backward. It is impolite to cross or stretch legs.

• The younger person always Sampeah an elder first. For example, a guest would Sampeah his/her elder host when entering the house, but a younger host would Sampeah a visiting elder first. The younger individual should not sit elevated above an elder. Seating for the younger person should be at the same level or below the elder. To sit above the elder would be considered rude or misbehaved. If an older person is sitting on a mat, it is impolite for a younger one to sit on a chair despite that he/she is told to do so. When sitting on a mat, the younger persons should bend their legs and tuck them to the side with both feet point backward. If sitting on a chair or couch, younger people should not cross or shake their legs.

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• When walking in front of or passing an elder, a younger individual should bow to show respect. The lower the bow the more respect is conveyed. When accepting things from or handing things to an elder, the younger person has to do so with both hands. An elder will do so with only one hand.

• The elder's head should not be touched or patted. Cambodian parents always tell their children not to touch or pat another person's head because it is a sin. When standing or posing for a picture, a younger person never puts his/her hand on an elder's shoulder. It is considered very rude. When talking, take off hats and don't put hands in pockets. When eating, don't start before the elder.

• Avoid pointing your foot at a person or touching someone on the head. Women should wear long clothing that covers the body. Photography: Permitted, with certain restrictions, such as the photographing of military installations, airports and railway stations. It is polite to ask permission before photographing Cambodian people, especially monks.

Reference

• (*) :The Cambodian Magazine, N°13 September-October 2004.