Modern Buddhist Cathedrals

There is a proliferation of Wats (Buddhist pagodas cum monasteries) in Cambodia. Many were destroyed during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge tried to eradicate Buddhism, all it achieved in doing is changing it.

Many of the Wats have been rebuild and new ones added by and large with money from exiled Khmers in America, France and Australia, mostly from America, from California. Indeed, the Wats along with their pictures of Buddhas life, praying figures and Garudas and other myhtic beasts are covered in credits to so and so from USA giving $xx. Monks are no longer so depend on their alms rounds in the local community as money pours in from overseas.

Why all this money? We are not exactly sure but part of it seems to be secure the exiles return to the land of their ancestors when they die, part of it seems a way to put money back into the country without getting embroiled in family squabbles and jealousies, and there are probably a host of other reasons.

Unfortunately, it seems that the local Wats and monks are becoming less connected to their local community as a result of their new found wealth and patrons. A path that the church in the west went down some time ago. What is it about stones, bricks and mortar, intricate designs and gargoylesque figures that so appeal to the religious?

Often these graphic displays of merit-making sit alongside people on the edge of existence.One wonders what could be done if the money was channelled into health or education or community infrastructure or debt cancellation. But, of course, that would be a lot more difficult with no guarantee of credit or success.....

N.B. Whilst the context is somewhat different in the west I am of much the same opinion about the majority of church buildings - old or new, so, please, understand this is not a cheap pop at Buddhism. Just articulating grief at the way many of us religious haves tend to spend our money.