Cambodia’s senior Buddhist leaders have called on monks and religious authorities across the country to strengthen monastic discipline, expand Buddhist education, and prevent misconduct during the annual rains retreat, which is scheduled to begin on 30 July.

The instructions were issued in a joint message from the Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia’s Mohanikaya Order, Ven. Am Lim Heng, and the Great Supreme Patriarch of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya Order, Ven. Bour Kry.

Addressed to abbots, senior monks, religious officials, and temple administrators, the message urged monks and novices to observe Buddhist teachings and monastic regulations closely throughout the traditional three-month retreat.

The rains retreat, also known by the Pali term Vassa and sometimes referred to as Buddhist Lent, is observed by Theravada Buddhist communities during Southeast Asia’s rainy season. Monastics traditionally remain in one monastery for the duration of the retreat, devoting additional time to meditation, study, teaching, and community practice.

The Buddhist leaders emphasized that maintaining discipline was necessary to protect the dignity of the monastic community and preserve public confidence in Buddhism. Temple administrators were instructed to monitor activities within their monasteries and prevent behavior that could damage the reputation of the religion.

Among concerns identified in the message were the inappropriate use of social media, fraudulent activities associated with temples, gambling, and online gaming.

“Such activities cause serious harm to the value of Buddhism and the nation’s society,” the message said. (Khmer Times)

The supreme patriarchs directed monastery administrators to verify the identities, monastic status, and documentation of monks and novices before permitting them to participate in the retreat. Monasteries were asked to maintain updated records of all monastics residing within their grounds during the three-month period.

The message further encouraged monks to foster unity within their monasteries and to uphold the Buddhist principles of morality, concentration, and wisdom. Monastics were also reminded to conduct their regular religious duties, including Uposatha observances held twice each lunar month.

During Uposatha, ordained monks traditionally gather to recite the Patimokkha, the code of monastic discipline contained within the Theravada Vinaya. The observance provides an opportunity for members of the sangha to review their conduct and reaffirm their commitment to monastic rules.

The Buddhist leaders described investment in Buddhist education at every level as an important responsibility for Cambodia’s religious institutions. Their appeal continued efforts by the Cambodian Buddhist authorities to improve monastic education while responding to public concerns about misconduct and the use of digital media by members of the monastic sangha.

Cambodia is one of the most predominantly Buddhist countries in the world. According to a 2025 analysis by the Pew Research Center, Buddhists accounted for 97 per cent of the country’s population. Cambodia’s Ministry of Cults and Religious Affairs has reported that the country has more than 5,000 monasteries, also known as pagodas, and nearly 70,000 monks.

The country’s monastic community is primarily divided between the Mohanikaya, Cambodia’s larger Buddhist order, and the smaller Dhammayuttika Nikaya. Both belong to the Theravada tradition and play significant roles in the country’s religious and public life.

Cambodian Buddhism underwent extensive destruction under the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975–79, when monasteries were closed or destroyed and monks were killed or forced to disrobe. The restoration of the sangha and Buddhist educational institutions became a major part of Cambodia’s religious reconstruction in subsequent decades.

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Supreme Patriarchs call on monks to uphold discipline ahead of Buddhist Lent (Khmer Times)

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