December 2007 Update

As the monks in Cambodia were occupied with other matters during vassa and also because of other issues, things took awhile longer to get done this time around. But it is with great happiness that I report that we have successfully completed printing 2 titles in the last month.


Ven Vandong distributing books at the RTTC


850 trainee teachers attended a Dhamma talk before the book distribution



Volunteers and spectators at BSDA


350 books were given to novices at the Buddhist High School in Kg Cham

 4,000 copies of "Good Question Good Answer" 

The Cambodians really like this book and many monks and teachers find it immensely useful as a guide to educate the people. This is the 4th reprint of this book since DAC started just over 12 months ago and the 2nd to be fully sponsored by Teh Chi Chang in memory of Teh Kong Hai.  

The book was specially requested by Ven Vandong Thorn of Wat Nokor Bachey in Kampong Cham, one of the larger towns just north of Phnom Penh.  He runs the Buddhism and Society Development Association which is doing fantastic work in the region in the service of the villagers and vulnerable children. Check out their website which is managed by the Venerable's German friend Thomas, (who's other claim to fame is being the brother-in-law of the professor who identified the SARS virus. The professor is helping Ven Vandong with his AIDS education program in Kampong Cham).

Ven Vandong has distributed this book to students at the Choun Nath Buddhist High School which has about 350 novice monk students and another 850 books to students at the Regional Teachers Training Centre which caters to trainees from 6 provinces.  This is really important for a country like Cambodia where the population is relatively young and  teachers are widely respected. He thinks the book will also be useful in rebuilding the community around the Wat.  

In the first column are some pictures which Ven Vandong sent me of his book distribution and also of some programs and games he organises with volunteers/tourists for the local children.


1,000 copies of this book was also given to Ven Vibol, an old friend with the Khmer Youth Education Buddhist Centre, which runs massive  Dhamma retreats for thousands of students.  The picture above shows Ven Vandong (left) giving these books to Ven Vibol (right). 

Visit the KYEBC website and click on "Important Projects" and the "Photo Gallery" to see what I mean.  The 1,000 books will be given to the student leaders and such. Unfortunately, we won't have enough to give to all the students. That's a pity. Obviously, I'm trying to move you to sponsor another reprint of this book, so if you are so moved, please contact me.  
3,500 copies of "Buddhist Ethics in Daily Life"
This book was authored by the popular Burmese Vipassana reacher Ven Dr Dhammapiya and translated into Khmer by Ven Sin Kong Nyanajoti of Cambodia. Ven Bunsim, who visited KL earlier this year for the Global Conference on Buddhism 2006, then arranged for the printing of the books in Phnom Penh. Ven Sin Kong says

On behalf of Cambodian people, may I be allowed to thank you for all your kind attention that you and your project, Dhamma Aid Cambodia, printed the book entitle "Buddhist Ethics In Daily Life" in Khmer language for the benefit to all Cambodian people who are in need the Dhamma to quench the thirst for living a noble life in accordance with the Buddha's teaching.

We all realize that you and your entire companion are trying your best to help Cambodian in the name of member of mankind, and in order to promote the sublime teaching of the Buddha, which is the message of peace and happiness. As a matter of fact, we are grateful to you for your sympathy and financial support for publishing this most useful book. I hope that your works will be very much helpful in delivering the Enlightened One's words in many languages to all backgrounds of man as well as the development of Buddhism in the World. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you so much for all your help with the Divine State of Mind (Brahmavihara).

May the Blessing of the Buddhist Triple Gem protect you. May you be happy and peaceful, and to get successful in your promote Dhamma projects in Cambodia."

Unfortunately I couldn't get any pictures of the book or its distribution in time for this report. However, the good news is that Andy Brouwer who has inspired so many people to love Cambodia through his blog and other writings have agreed to assist in distributing this book, now that he has taken up full time employment in Phnom Penh.
Scholarships to monks of monastic University
DAC sponsored the scholarships of 4 monks for the Phra Sihanouk Raj University for the current year through our vollaboration with KEAP .  We have recently received letters from 3 of the recipients introducing themselves. Parts of these letters are reproduced below.

Ven Voeun Sarorn, 2nd yr student
I've been studying at Phra Sihanu Raja University in 2nd year, faculty of Pali, Sanskrit and Foreign Languages, major in Pali. I already received scholarship from KEAP in US$. After receiving it, I phoned to my family and told them to all my friends. They all are so happy. On behalf of my family and me, I'm very grateful for all your help.  According to this scholarship, I can solve basic issues having happened in daly life, especially in studying. At university, in last year, I was successful in the class, then became a 1st class in 1st semester,  2nd semester also. This good result is the reason that made me received the scholarship. On vacation, I always stayed at the countryside. I paid much time to teach the monks and village children. I also preached the Buddha's teachings to people at Buddhist and traditional ceremonies. I think this is my contribution in little to Cambodia and people.

Ven Nguon Sathya, 2nd yr student
Now in Cambodia people are enjoyed Kanben's day (15 days). During this time monks have opportunity to study because every pagodas from morning to noon full of lay people with foods candles and so on came to pagoda to offer alms to the monks so monks do not need to collect alms anywhere but wait at pagoda.  Even though this is time of luxury for the monk but have never forget your kindness because your support it can reduce my burdens like utilities and books and so on. I also thank Bandar Utama Buddhist Society as well KEAP that pay attention for the poor monk in Cambodia.

Ven Chhun Sophal, 3rd yr student
I was born on 15 May 1984 in Trorpheang Klot Village. I became a novice in 1992 and an ordained monk in 1999 in Sorsai Pagoda.  I have 5  brothers and 2 sisters. I am the 4th son in my family. My elder brother and one elder sister are married.  My younger brother is a teacher and another brother is studying at the University of Health Science. My youngest sister is studying at high school grade 10.  I would like to say thank you very much for supporting me in Buddhism, my studying, especially my daily life. Your generosity and your kindness is a great Buddhist in Buddhism. At the moment, I already got your gifts and I wil pay it for my studying and also improve my English.

Yu Ban
Dec 2007

Back to Dhamma Aid Cambodia