(VOVWORLD) - As most ofthe Khmerethnic minority people in Vietnam are followers ofTheravada Buddhism, they build pagodas wherever they live. Pagodas are a place for spiritual and religious activities, for social interaction, and for preserving traditional cultural values. Pagodas hold a great importance in the cultural life of the Khmer community.
 The inauguration of the main hall of Kinh Xang Pagoda in March 2024, located in Phong Phu Commune, Tra Vinh Province, attracts large crowds. (Photo: VOV.) |
The Khmer population of over 1.3 million people lives mainly in the Mekong Delta region – An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh, and Soc Trang province. The region is home to 446 Khmer pagodas.
According to Thach Le, head of the management board of Khuone pagoda in Tra Vinh province, a pagoda is – for the Khmer – a sacred place where Buddha is worshiped, a place where people entrust their faith, hopes, and aspirations for the future.
"Khmer people, regardless of age, always go to the pagoda. When a child is born and during its first-month or one-year ceremony, the family offers food to the pagoda to pray for the child’s health and blessings. When the child gets older, he or she is sent to the pagoda to study,” Thach Le said.
“When the child reaches adulthood and gets married, the family invites the monks to chant blessings for the couple. And when someone dies, the monks chant prayers to guide their soul to heaven. The Khmer people, in times of joy and times of sorrow, go to the pagoda to pray for their family's peace and happiness,” he added.
In addition to being a religious center, a Khmer pagoda also serves as a center for community and cultural activities.
According to Thach Thi Hien of Tra Vinh province, the Khmer celebrate many festivals throughout the year, including Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year), Sen Dolta, Ooc Om Boc, and the summer festival.
All the biggest festival activities take place at the pagoda, Hien said. “During festivals, we go to the pagoda, make offerings, and accumulate merits. This is an opportunity for us to meet friends, discuss Buddhist teachings, and share life stories and experiences. Such community activities foster relationships between people.”
Thach Da of SoVanhNihKroth Chrey Phe pagoda in Tra Vinh province said Khmer pagodas also serve as museums that preserve the material and spiritual values of the Khmer people. Pagodas are also schools which provide local children moral education and life skills and contribute to the preservation of the Khmer culture, language, and writing system.
“Khmer pagodas are places that preserve the tangible and intangible cultural values of the Khmer people. Pagodas display tools, recreate traditional village crafts, and organize classes to teach the musical skills of the Ngu Am orchestra – a unique Khmer art form. Pagodas often hold classes to teach children the Khmer script, Buddhist scriptures, and Buddhist teachings, and encourage them to preserve and promote the Khmer culture,” said Thach Da.
 Thach Da (2nd from left), head of SoVanhNihKroth Chrey Phe pagoda in Tra Vinh province. (Photo: VOV) |
As a center for religious and community activities, Khmer pagodas are ideal places to disseminate Party guidelines and State laws and policies.
“During religious activities, in addition to preaching and teaching Buddhist morals, the monks explain Party guidelines and State laws and policies and encourage Buddhist followers to contribute to the development of the homeland. They also inform the community of new policies for ethnic minorities and raise awareness to combat superstition,” Venerable Duong Van Na, Chairman of Tra Vinh city’s Association for Solidarity of Patriotic Buddhist Monks, said.