YEBC 2006

September 2006 Update

Visit to the representatives of the Khmer Youth Education Buddhist Centre

Sophal, our friendly taxi driver took us to Wat Prasat Bakong outside the Roulous group of temples where we met with Vens Vath Vibol and Bou Sengho. (Khmer names seem to be inspired by Star Wars; I've yet to learn their naming system). They were staying in a forest meditation centre. There was some initial confusion as we thought they were staying in the ancient temples, but that got sorted out soon enough.
Vath Vibol and Bou Senghor are the Vice President and Hon Secretary respectively. The president, Ven Sophan Vodano was away at the University of Hawaii doing his Masters and is expected to be back in Cambodia in early 2007.

Interestingly enough, the monks at the meditation center here were taking instruction from a Cambodian ten-precept nun. As she spoke only Khmer, we declined the invitation to have an audience with her. That's her sitting next to the heavily tattooed man

The stuff we gave to YEBC included two laptops, a printer, a voice recorder, a digital camera, books CDs and some cash. We also donated a small sum to the senior monk of the forest retreat for its maintenance. YEBC organises Dhammacarikas. These are 10 day training camps where participants, (mostly school children and teachers) are taught the basics of Dhamma, Buddhist etiquette, morality and so on.
Every Dhammacarika is attended by 2,000 to 4,000 participants. At the time of our visit, YEBC was trying to raise about USD 3,000 for another 10 day camp for 3,000 students. Most of the cost goes towards material for the students, food and transport.

Ven Vibol also records daily 30 minute sermons, complete with insect background symphony, into a battered old cassette recorder from his room in the forest retreat. These are then taken to the local radio station which then transmits it on FM radio to the provinces of Siem Reap, Battambang, Preah Vihear and Kompong Thom in north west Cambodia.

Ven Bou Senghor, the Chinese looking fellow at the back had an animated discussion with me. He had an easy laugh and was easily tickled whereas Ven Vibol was more guarded and serious.

The book "Good Question, Good Answer" is well appreciated even my the monks in Cambodia and is in great demand. They said "Now when Westerners ask us about Buddhism we can explain using the correct words."

Back to Sept 2006 report

Visit to the representatives of the Khmer Youth Education Buddhist Centre
	Sophal, our friendly taxi driver took us to Wat Prasat Bakong outside the Roulous group of temples where we met with Vens Vath Vibol and Bou Sengho. (Khmer names seem to be inspired by Star Wars; I've yet to learn their naming system). They were staying in a forest meditation centre. There was some initial confusion as we thought they were staying in the ancient temples, but that got sorted out soon enough. Vath Vibol and Bou Senghor are the Vice President and Hon Secretary respectively. The president, Ven Sophan Vodano was away at the University of Hawaii doing his Masters and is expected to be back in Cambodia in early 2007.
	Interestingly enough, the monks at the meditation center here were taking instruction from a Cambodian ten-precept nun. As she spoke only Khmer, we declined the invitation to have an audience with her. That's her sitting next to the heavily tattooed man
	The stuff we gave to YEBC included two laptops, a printer, a voice recorder, a digital camera, books CDs and some cash. We also donated a small sum to the senior monk of the forest retreat for its maintenance. YEBC organises Dhammacarikas. These are 10 day training camps where participants, (mostly school children and teachers) are taught the basics of Dhamma, Buddhist etiquette, morality and so on. Every Dhammacarika is attended by 2,000 to 4,000 participants. At the time of our visit, YEBC was trying to raise about USD 3,000 for another 10 day camp for 3,000 students. Most of the cost goes towards material for the students, food and transport. Ven Vibol also records daily 30 minute sermons, complete with insect background symphony, into a battered old cassette recorder from his room in the forest retreat. These are then taken to the local radio station which then transmits it on FM radio to the provinces of Siem Reap, Battambang, Preah Vihear and Kompong Thom in north west Cambodia.
	Ven Bou Senghor, the Chinese looking fellow at the back had an animated discussion with me. He had an easy laugh and was easily tickled whereas Ven Vibol was more guarded and serious.
	The book "Good Question, Good Answer" is well appreciated even my the monks in Cambodia and is in great demand. They said "Now when Westerners ask us about Buddhism we can explain using the correct words."
Back to Sept 2006 report