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Sangkhatan Statues

Statues of monks lined up for alms line the entrace to a moastery in Cambodia.

In Cambodia, the practice of alms-giving holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. Each morning, Buddhist monks, clad in saffron robes, embark on alms rounds, walking barefoot through the streets in a silent procession. Local residents, both devout Buddhists and non-religious alike, await their arrival, offering food, usually rice or fruits, as a gesture of generosity and respect. This ritual symbolizes the interconnectedness of the community and serves as a means for laypeople to accumulate merit by supporting the monks in their pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. For the monks, alms-giving sustains their basic needs, fostering humility and gratitude while maintaining the tradition of dependence on the goodwill of the community. Overall, the practice of alms-giving in Cambodia is a sacred tradition that fosters communal harmony and spiritual growth.

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Uploaded on March 29, 2024
Taken on January 9, 2023