Theravada Buddhist Monastery

• Prize
  Silver in People/Culture
• Photographer
  Steff Gruber
• Photo Date
  2019

Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century (except during the Khmer Rouge period). Religion plays a major role in the daily lives of Cambodians. Boys traditionally spent part of their lives as monks. Although less common today, this practice is once again widespread. Families consider it a great honor if their sons enter a monastery and live as monks, however briefly. For many, it is also the only opportunity to receive some kind of education. The photographs shown are from a Buddhist temple near Kampot in southern Cambodia.