Issues

Nadezhda Bektimirova

Religiia i obshchestvo na Vostoke, Спецвыпуск (2015), p. 30-40.

 
The article examines development of religious sphere in Cambodia which can be seen as a kind of Buddhist renaissance. This process began at the turn of the centuries and is still ongoing. The author demonstrates the positive dimensions of this phenomenon, such as: an increasing number of monasteries and monks, enhanced financial resources for the day to day running of monasteries, an influx of young members into Sangha, growing religious education and enhanced social activity of the clergy. The article also analyses the negative consequences of the Buddhist renaissance – commercialization of Sangha, weakened discipline among its ranks, politicization of the clergy, and a noticeable intensification of protest mood among urban monks.

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Keywords: Buddhism, Sangha, Cambodia, monastery, political activity, commercialization of Sangha, Cambodian People’s Party, elections

Volume: 30-40