Traditional home of Cambodian worker #1
In rural Cambodia many rural houses area built up off the ground All Buddhist homes and businesses have a prominent spirit house.
"Generally speaking, spirit houses are shrines dedicated to the protective spirit of a place. They are also found in other South-East Asian countries, notably Burma, Laos and Thailand.
In Cambodia, most homes and businesses have a spirit house placed in them, usually in the form of a miniature house or small temple, usually mounted on a pillar or dais. Spirit houses range from simple structures costing a few dozen dollars to elaborate edifices costing up to $5,000.
Many people claim that these small structures are the abodes of spirits and gods, and that their fundamental mission is to make these supernatural beings happy and comfortable. In exchange, the benevolent spirits keep the human inhabitants of the house safe from danger and out of reach of evil spirits. It's a mutually beneficial relationship: the people build the spirits' house to house the deities, and the spirits protect the occupants.
Another function of these pretty little structures, more in the Buddhist tradition, is to show respect to the recently deceased. The devotees believe that placing offerings in the spirit houses brings good luck to the recently deceased who are awaiting reincarnation."
Traditional home of Cambodian worker #1
In rural Cambodia many rural houses area built up off the ground All Buddhist homes and businesses have a prominent spirit house.
"Generally speaking, spirit houses are shrines dedicated to the protective spirit of a place. They are also found in other South-East Asian countries, notably Burma, Laos and Thailand.
In Cambodia, most homes and businesses have a spirit house placed in them, usually in the form of a miniature house or small temple, usually mounted on a pillar or dais. Spirit houses range from simple structures costing a few dozen dollars to elaborate edifices costing up to $5,000.
Many people claim that these small structures are the abodes of spirits and gods, and that their fundamental mission is to make these supernatural beings happy and comfortable. In exchange, the benevolent spirits keep the human inhabitants of the house safe from danger and out of reach of evil spirits. It's a mutually beneficial relationship: the people build the spirits' house to house the deities, and the spirits protect the occupants.
Another function of these pretty little structures, more in the Buddhist tradition, is to show respect to the recently deceased. The devotees believe that placing offerings in the spirit houses brings good luck to the recently deceased who are awaiting reincarnation."