Cambodian Religion

The early Chinese and Indian cultures strongly influence the religion of Cambodia. When the Christian era begins in Cambodia the Indian traders brought the religion to the first Khmer state in Funan. They also brought their products along with the religion. Nearly all of them were following Brahmanism at that time. Brahmans were the forerunner of Hinduism. Brahmanism unified with the existing animistic beliefs and turn into a kind of newly religion and the name was hinduistic where the local deities existing side by side.

Angkor period started at the beginning of the 8th century and throughout this Angkor period, several Hindu religious sect were encouraged by the Angkor kings. Always the special interests were on the cults of Vishnu and Shiva. If you clearly notice the architecture and art of that period, you will see the tinge.

Interestingly, Jayavarman II crowned himself as a rebirth of Shiva. He accordingly reigned on the base of the Hindu conception of the devaraja or god-kings. Cambodian culture always felt a great impact of Hindu cosmology. Presently in Cambodia almost 90 percent of the entire population is Theravada-Buddhists. This Theravada religion has had definite influence on Cambodian’s routine life. In the year 1989 this religion has been reintroduced as the national religion in Cambodia.

In the 13th century Theravada-Buddhism entered in Cambodia. King Jayavarman VII was the king who helped in spreading the religion. In 15th century this Theravada-Buddhism became state religion. This was a popular religion among the people mostly who had been refused access to the more extravagant and elitist devaraja cult for many centuries.

In Cambodia in every village you will get a Buddhist temple and religiously many Cambodian males spent time in a Buddhist monastery at some point of their lives Buddhist temples are known as Wat and around that Cambodian village life centres.