The bellowing echoes of chanting monks blare across the Cambodian countryside, reminding me of a warped 8-track tape attempting to meet modern-day audio standards while playing the oldies but goodies.
Holding tight to my motor-bike driver, I bounce along the dirt road and winding hills staring at nothing but rice fields and open land through slivers of light that aren’t covered by dust on my sunglasses. It am truly in the middle of nowhere.
Something catches my eye –some kind of glare off in the distance. Simultaneously, the calming, almost hypnotic chants of monks in the wind are getting louder. Eventually, I become almost blinded by reflections as the enormous golden roof of a Cambodian temple comes into view.
We pull in the dirt driveway of the Temple that has both Buddhist and Hindu influences. Children are playing out front and giggling as they play “kick the flip-flop” –the Cambodian version of America’s vintage “kick the can” game. My guide tells me this is a special day, and a rare treat for any outsider who is lucky enough to witness the celebrations and ceremonies on this “8th day” and Full Moon. Not only did I witness this day in it’s most authentic form, but I was invited to go behind the gates for a glimpse at the monks and locals interacting.
The monks are gracious. They are peaceful and gentle. Many of them are very young boys. I stand by a tree near the temple and just observe the sea of orange robes walking the grounds. They all seem to be heading somewhere, but I don’t see anything in particular happening. One monk pulls out a cell phone, which amazed me since 1) getting reception would need divine intervention in this very remote place and 2) given that monks generally live void of materialistic items, I was surprised to see this. Nonetheless, it was an interesting observation as the boys mingled behind the temple.
As I stroll closer to the temple, I see a lot of activity. I come upon a communal gathering area inside of the temple where dozens of monks are engaged in prayer with people who have brought them offerings. One monk may be praying with 10 or 12 people at a time. These prayer groups are scattered throughout the floor of the temple fully engaged in their moment.
I actually have to tip-toe over people to get photographs, which they didn’t mind. They carried on as if I wasn’t even there. I wondered what kinds of prayers were coming from these several hundred people. It was a reminder that each human carries their own struggles, wishes, desires and hope.
Throughout the year there are several public holidays that commemorate Buddhism. The almost festival appearance of this day inside this temple introduces me to the devout beliefs of the Cambodian people who have suffered so much under the Khmer Rouge. To see them moving forward and living and believing and pulling together to rebuild is inspirational. There is no doubt their religion played a part in their survival and more importantly, their journey forward.
While prayers are taking place inside the temple, there is a bevy of activity outside where children are playing, monks are meditating and this foreign visitor makes her way back to the gates.
To witness this day of celebration in its most authentic form was indeed something rare. I exit through the large iron gates leaving this tender and beautiful experience exactly the way I found it: in progress. It’s like I was never even there.
The blaring, mumbled sound of monks chanting over the loud speaker serenade as my driver and I head off into the countryside.
Comments
Paula Montealegre
Cambodian Interpreter Needed in Hershey, PA
My name is Paula, I am the recruiter for Fluent Language Solutions, an interpreting company (www.fluentls.com).
I am contacting you because we have a Cambodian speaking patient who needs help with the following appointment:
Language: Cambodian
Date: 04/04/2016
Location: Hershey, PA 17033
Expected duration: 2:20pm to 2:40pm (1 hour 20 minutes)
Description: Medical visit
We are in need of an interpreter for this assignment. If you are available and interested in taking this job, kindly send me your hourly interpreting rates and your resume.
We pay 2-hour minimum for all jobs and we reimburse mileage. We also would like to retain you as a Cambodian interpreter for future jobs we will have in the area.
If you are unavailable but have someone in mind, please feel free to pass along my contact information located below.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Kind regards,
Paula Montealegre
704-532-1463
onsitecareers@fluentls.com
Anietra Hamper
Paula, I am ot an interpreter. Sorry, I do not know any Cambodian speaking people here in the U.S.