Tuesday, November 1, 2011


A Biographical Sketch of Somdet Phra Maha Ghosananda "The Gandhi of Cambodia" • 1929 Born Takeo Province, south central Cambodia. • 1943 Initiated into Cambodian Buddhist Order.
• 1953 Studied at Nalanda University in Bihar State, India.
• 1956 Attended 6th Sangha Council of Buddhism.
• 1957 Studied with contemporary masters of Buddhism in Mahayana and Theravada traditions.
• 1969 Received doctoral degree from Nalanda University, title "Maha Ghosanada" bestowed.
Entered hermitage of Thai meditation master Venerable Achaan Dhammadaro.
• 1978 Met first influx of Cambodian refugees entering Sakeo camp following expulsion of Khmer Rouge regime from power. Distributed tracts to the refugees, reminding them of Buddha's words: "Hatred can never be appeased by hatred, hatred can only be appeased by love."
• 1978- Established temples in refugee camps on the Thai-Cambodia border.
• 1980 Represented Khmer nation-in-exile as consultant to the UN Economic and Social Council.
Co-founded Inter-religious Mission for Peace. Launched ecumenical initiatives, world days of prayer for "Peace in Cambodia and the Whole World."

សម្តេចសង្ឈរាជ ជួន ណាត​


A Biography of Samdech Chuon Nath: A Master of the Khmer Literature Samdech Sangha Raja Jhotañano Choun Nath (born March 11, 1883 - died September 25, 1969) is the late Supreme Patriarch Kana Mahanikaya of Cambodia. Amongst his achievements is his effort in conservation of the Khmer language in the form of the Khmer dictionary. His protection of Khmer identity and history in the form of the national anthem, Nokor Reach and Savada Khmer are also amongst his contribution to the country.

Conserving the Khmer Language
Venerable Chuon Nath was the head of a reformist movement in the Khmer Buddhist Sangha which developed a rationalist-scholastic model of Buddhism, rooted in linguistic studies of the Pali Cannon. This new movement, known as Dhammakaya, influenced young Khmer monks in the early 20th century. The new movmenet also cultivated Khmer-language identity and culture, giving rise to the notion of Cambodian nationalism.