Customer Reviews

History, Buddhism, and New Religious Movements in Cambodia

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The chief benefit I found in reading this book was that it opened my eyes to new categories of thought when contemplating religion in Cambodia. It caused me to take seriously the matter of the Buddhist nuns; showed me the existence of various cults and powerful spiritual figures that mix Buddhism and animism; informed me about some key figures in Buddhist history in Cambodia, and led me to consider how Cambodians abroad interact with religion here in Cambodia today.

Major disappointment: the book did not teach much about real Buddhist belief, and, what it did say was obviously arrived at through the "armchair theologian" approach to studying a foreign culture. After having lived here 11 years I can see through much of what these authors are saying as merely speculation and politically driven academia rather than a reflection of what Cambodian Buddhists really believe and think about in their daily lives.

After having lived in Cambodia for 2 years and having read several books on Cambodian religion and Buddhism in general, I approached this book with great anticipation. I read it over the course of 3 months, writing a review of each chapter and discussing each chapter in a forum.

Generally, I found this book to be of little value in understanding "New Religious Movements in Cambodia." The authors demonstrate a noted lack of philosophical self-awareness and thus interpret Cambodian religion through a post-Enlightenment humanistic grid. If you want to know how a Cambodian views his religion, this book is not for you.

Several of the chapters are written poorly to the point that the thesis is almost unintelligible. Fortunately, the introduction to each section states in clear terms what the thesis of each chapter is. Highly scholastic work does not need to be difficult to read. This book often is.

Chapters 3, 5 and 7 are worthwhile, so it will remain on my shelf.

This collection of essays covers some of the key aspects of Buddhism in Cambodia today and their historical context. A really first class publication with reliable information not found elsewhere. The primary focus is on contemporary Cambodia. Well produced, well written, well priced. Highly recommended.