Same neighborhood, different world.
Oct. 5, 2009
By Mariel Waloff
Philadelphia Weekly (Pennsylvania)
Horn Pa was twelve years old when his family settled in South Philadelphia, seeking refuge from the war plaguing their native Cambodia. His mother reminded him daily how lucky they were to live in the peace of the United States, where there was fresh water and readily available food.
As Horn came of age around Seventth and Jackson streets, however, he witnessed a different sort of war zone where gangs, violence and drugs threatened to ruin the lives of young Asian refugees like himself.
While Horn’s parents regularly attended the Palelai Buddhist Temple at Seconnd and Greenwich streets, Horn himself wasn’t interested. By the time he was 17 he had dropped out of high school, and began using drugs regularly. “I didn’t know no better, you know, just smoke weed, this and that, I didn’t know." Things began to change when he was arrested on a drug charge and spent the night in jail. Realizing his future looked bleak Horn decided to change his life.
Seeking guidance and a space to clear his mind, Horn went to the Palelai Temple—the same one his parents attended. He told the head monk that he wanted to stay for one week and they welcomed him. A year later, Horn still shaves his head and wears the orange robes of a Buddhist monk. His mind is clear, his parents are proud. He hopes to inspire positive change in other young Cambodians he sees around the neighborhood, making some of the same mistakes he did.
As the monastery’s youngest monk—and the best English speaker—he serves an important role as the linguistic and cultural interpreter between the older monks and the community around them. He has also had a large role in maintaining the plot of land the temple owns at 58th and Lindbergh Boulevard in Southwest Philadelphia. While they await permits to build a new temple complex, Horn and the other monks have planted gardens and built a pagoda and other small structures that overlook the Schuylkill River. The peace and quiet of these gardens serve as the perfect respite for a monk. The lush greenery contrasts sharply with their brilliant orange robes and it seems as though they are worlds away from the rest of the city.
As Horn came of age around Seventth and Jackson streets, however, he witnessed a different sort of war zone where gangs, violence and drugs threatened to ruin the lives of young Asian refugees like himself.
While Horn’s parents regularly attended the Palelai Buddhist Temple at Seconnd and Greenwich streets, Horn himself wasn’t interested. By the time he was 17 he had dropped out of high school, and began using drugs regularly. “I didn’t know no better, you know, just smoke weed, this and that, I didn’t know." Things began to change when he was arrested on a drug charge and spent the night in jail. Realizing his future looked bleak Horn decided to change his life.
Seeking guidance and a space to clear his mind, Horn went to the Palelai Temple—the same one his parents attended. He told the head monk that he wanted to stay for one week and they welcomed him. A year later, Horn still shaves his head and wears the orange robes of a Buddhist monk. His mind is clear, his parents are proud. He hopes to inspire positive change in other young Cambodians he sees around the neighborhood, making some of the same mistakes he did.
As the monastery’s youngest monk—and the best English speaker—he serves an important role as the linguistic and cultural interpreter between the older monks and the community around them. He has also had a large role in maintaining the plot of land the temple owns at 58th and Lindbergh Boulevard in Southwest Philadelphia. While they await permits to build a new temple complex, Horn and the other monks have planted gardens and built a pagoda and other small structures that overlook the Schuylkill River. The peace and quiet of these gardens serve as the perfect respite for a monk. The lush greenery contrasts sharply with their brilliant orange robes and it seems as though they are worlds away from the rest of the city.
46 comments:
There goes another good for nothing to exploit believers and religion to live off people.
Shame on people like him to humiliate mass believer and Cambodian identity.
Buddhist monkhood code should exempt individaul with insanitary morality and illegal background from monkhood.
The above comment is the comment of an atheist. This atheist will never have gratitude even for his own parents. You think you are the smartest person in the world. Get rid of your idiotic idea, and learn to realize that in this world there have been a lot more well-educated peole who worship their religions. I think the young Buddhist monk in this picture is morally much better than you fool. He can find his way out temporarily before he can start a better life. He learns a lot more than you do.
Dr. Wayne Dyer, the well-known American philosopher of these days, often mentions his Indian teacher's name or Buddha's words in his teachings on television. Joel Osteen, the Christian pastor in Texas, preaches very fairly. He never despises any religion. Anyway you are entitled to your own opinions, but these opinions of yours are the opinions of an uneduated person just like Hun Sen and his criminal cronies who lack respectable moral value. Education alone won't earn you respect. And respect earned is much better than respect given through fear. You'd better be ashamed of yourself if you are one of the Khmers. But if you are not, keep being atheist as you are.
This may only sounds good to people outside of South Philadelphia.
Palelai Temple is thief! They have been lying and sucking cmmunity's funds, especally elder people for over 20 years. All the monks there have extremely bad history. They only became monks because they are uncapable of facing the reality and this is their tactic.
The most corrupted monk of all is the Chief of Monks (Sam Sokhern). Him and the temple committees have been stealing millions of dallars for decades to build their houses and buying land in Cambodia.
My family used to support the temple but now we had enough. All monks there eats dinner and some drink wine.
The plot of land is just the conspiracy to steal more money from the community. The land cost $250k and say $450K so they can steal the $200K. This is about 7 to 8 years ago. Recently, they need the money to built on the new land. They took loans and used the current temple as coladeral. Now, all that money is gone without having anything built. They never provides the proof of any plan or contracts t the community when questions. All the decision is made by the chief monks and a committee not by the community.
11:07 PM
Great comment as anonymous, but I fell you love to split the Khmer from Khmer
Kind of accusation, you need more documents.
Tep Vong Monk?
I totally agreed with 11:07PM even though I don't live there. I don't know exactly what is going on to that temple. But, I know for sure that Buddhist religion might disappear from this continent. These individual crook monks do not follow the Buddhist doctrine, but they serve themselves with money. Same as monks in Wat Willow in Long Beach. The head monk, Kong Chheang, was having affair with the young girl and left the temple to have sex with her for about a year. Now he came back to be a head monk after spending all his money. But, only stupid Cambodian people overthere still support him and let him come back.
Back to this story, this young guy decided to become a monk. May be he knows that he might be deported back to Cambodia. So he made himself to be a monk. American government let us come here to live peacefully, but some of them come here to commit crimes. They deserved to be deported back to their homeland.
11:32PM, of course you felt that way because you are not from this community. Like I said, it only sounds good to the outsider.
Because of their abuse of our religion, no good people attending this temple anymore. Only the desprit thick face widower ladies still support them crooked monks. Most people only go during the major boun not because they respect the temple nor the monks but just for the sake of the tradition.
There 10 temples in Long Beach alone, I stopped here too much to speculate never ending. I'm big, you bigger, he biggest on and on.
Who destroyed Buddha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIrUHVFkm9A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D-z6sTs3pU
Sound very similiar for the controversial issues about monks are corrupted and commit sinful act.
In Amherst,MASS. The head monk fled the pagoda after Video record he took during his honeynoon time with a woman, which was mistakenly ended up in the community. Gosh, what a time bomb!!! KABOOMB!!! He fled out and I accidently met him in Phnom Penh in 2007.
Karma, Karma.
10:15PM,
My comment is about this boy who hadn't done nothing in a plentiful land but troubles for himself.
Monkhood is not about hanging robes over one shoulders. It is about the individual good conduct and moral character in order to earn lay men /believers respect.
Please read my comment again,before any accusation made.
Peace be with you,
From 9:37PM
oh good picture
12:39AM! he is not Buddha! Our religion is willing to help people who make mustake and want to correct themself!
Ankulimear was the first one accept by Buddha!
1:18AM,
You missed the central point too.
Angulimara is a made up story.
Who would name own kid as Anguli(index finger)mara(evil.
From 12:39AM
1:18PM,
I am not saying you are totaly wrong. But it is wrong just to shave your head an put on monk's rope to get respect.
This also a very wrong messages to the younger community. They don't have to earn respect through good will, intregity and honesty but when you fuck up in life and too ashame to deal with reality like everyone else-just be a monk. You will automaticly get respect! I DISAGREE!
People need to respect monks beyon their bald head and orange rope. Over respect fake monks will only going to destroy our culture.
1:35PM, I somewhat agree. This is a problem with our elder people today. They believes in story and myth.
Anyone who are trying to destroy Buddha and his follower will be destroy now or later.
Khmer son
1:39AM! are you a fool!!!
Who would give the son name! POl POT, HUN SEN, TA MOK, event ah HO CHI MINH?
That what the evils name of their doing!
I am from Philadelphia. I agree with 11:07PM and 2:08PM.
Palelai Temple are corrupted. All the monks their are bad. They only wants to associates with ladies widow.
The chief monks, Sam Sokhern act like he is the king. He think he is Hun Sen. He do whatever he please including having the girlfriend. Never ask community for any suggestions or approval when make decisions (except ask for more money). He think he owned the temple. He refuse to understand that the temple should owned by the community which funds through donations. Therefore, he steal the money to build expensive houses and purchase land in Cambodia. He only stay to be monks to collect wealth. How else can he have the money to build $400,000 house and purchase thousands of hecta of farm land in Cambodia. Isn't it obvious? But because of his bald head and orange rope, most elder people oversee the obvious uncharactorization of this monk and all the monks there.
1:35 or 12:39AM that is you a fool! Is ah HO or ah Pot is their fucking real names?
2:08AM! They become young or new monk to study to become real monk is the way Buddhish pratice! and I thing other religion do so to bring up their young clergies!
What are you! have PhD. need not go to school?
2:38AM are you want to study from experiance monk OR YOU WANT TO TEACH THE MONK?
Can children give birth too parents, FOOL?
2:43AM, Yes, indeed your are absolutely right. You have raise a good point!
But I only speak for the monks in Palelai Temple in Philadelphia. They abuse and disrespect our religion. That is disgraceful! You not from this community, therefore it is hard for you to understand what I mean.
Not all monks in the whole world are all good. But all monks in this temple are all bad.
2:46AM, your comments make no sense. Read my comments again.....
The thrue is hard to find!! SAMA SAMPOUT THO!
2:38 AM
You're SUPERKHMER!
That's example just like here 10 temples in Long Beach, CA. Their story never end he said and she said. I stopped here it's too loooooong.
Khmer562
People of Buddhist faith must act now! Kick all the bad monks out.
Majority of Khmer people I know lose faith in their Buddhist religion.
Religion practice badly are not only with Buddhism, even pastor create sin under his outside image. Not all those who turns to religion are to become good but to collect money. there's a new saying "Bos so som trop" (excuse my khmer english) however, people still worship monk not because of respecting them but for the tradition alone, to offering goods to our ancestors.
There's alot of scams going on these day with monks, even in cambodia also, most of"khmer" belevers are victims of these scheme, i agree with (post 2:28am) comments above 100%! Monk had taken advantaged on belivers by collecting alot of funds to buy themselves a property: lands, farm lands, rice milling, built new villa, monks used religions to do business for their own benefits, i think some people seeing a huge opportunity to become a MONKs! this is another way to make a quick retirement...
Chief "Sao Khon" is the crooked, and corrupted Monk!
Go get a real life. This is for old old people. Don't be lazy eat sleep, eat sleep at the temple, doing nothing-shit!
Changing from a bad person to a good person is a good change. He seems very helpful toward the other people around him. Hopefully he can be a good example to the rest of the bad monks.
11:45 PM,
I agree! I think ICE were threatening to deport him and only then he decided to do good by assuming his role as a clergy monk.
8:00 AM,
I agree with you as well. With all this orange rope running around, it's hard to distinguished fact from fictions. There is alot of unsanitized monk out there that's blending in with the sanitize/real one. It's all boiled down to....money.
I, like most, only make my present at the temple just for the sake of our traditions. Now, I only prayed to the very people that give me life. I just don't get it anymore. Most Khmer spent days in and days out praying for a better tomorrow; yet the suffering continued till this day. Why is that? Does everyone else see this or is it just me?
Don't get me wrong, I am still a Budhis.... just doesn't pray
anymore.
1 confused Khmer
Dear All,
Can you all leave the Buddhist Religion alone? If you believe it, obey it, if not, get lost.
Too many Fake Monks and too many scheme, Monk like (Kiet ChanTuch) for example! got drunk everytime and take advantaged on believers, these crooked monk collected so much money from belivers all around the world, you guy should know, there are rich and very wealthy monks these day, living free in luxury dome, Sattelite dish network Tv world wide,'Lexus' luxury car, $1000 cell phone....
O'dong, Kompong Speu
It is a pointless approach but nonetheless, it is better than committing crimes outside of the Temple.
10:00AM,
You are wrong here. Most comments are defending Buddhism and believers from falling victims of criminal mind persons who use Temple to make a free living, especially in US.
Buddhism is about self salvation and do the right things in present living. One needs no robe to be a good Buddhist. The same goes for being born Khmer,one needs not to be MP or PM or career politician to be a good Khmer.Individual does good good self and family is a respectable and good Khmer.
Horn Pa is a disgrace to his parents honor and the Khmer identity.
Buddhist robes will not change him but only him can change him in the eyes of law.
There is nothing to be proud of him anyway.
(3:10)
So, your point is....it's okay to commit crime within the temple? Sort of like the pastors who molest kids and hide in church.
10:00 AM
What's wrong with sheding a little light about our religious?
Let the truth be told.
7:17Pm !use your braine ! FOOL!
12:45 am
Did you mean "brain?"
Your childish response doesn't serve any purpose.
Now, go take a nap little boy!
What happend to that drunkard monk KIET CHANTUCH? does he still being a monk chief and get drunk still..? Mr Hun Sen should reforms this issue immediately, otherwise our religions will destroy by these crooked draunkard monks...
If you are bhuddism,,, you can follow Bhuddas teaching at your own home if your not comfortable going to the temple or you think those monks at the temple are not legitimate to you then you dont have to support them. Dont abandon your belief becuz of those bad apples use the name of religion for their personal gain. Religions are something you believe in your own heart and mind not becuz of preacher tells you to belief so.
If you are bhuddism,,, you can follow Bhuddas teaching at your own home if your not comfortable going to the temple or you think those monks at the temple are not legitimate to you then you dont have to support them. Dont abandon your belief becuz of those bad apples use the name of religion for their personal gain. Religions are something you believe in your own heart and mind not becuz of preacher tells you to belief so.
so funny have alot of youngest monk then this monk in cambodia they do good and they study hard
It's good to see or heard alot of young monks study hard and be a good example to people and the rest of world, don't be like drunkard "Kiet ChanTuch" collected funds from all belivers around the world and got himself drunkard, having sex with young vietnamese girls and no one dare to do anything...??
Hi 7:17 PM,
Well, the point is that he is no longer committing crimes after he became a monk. Although, it is a pointless approach at a young age but nonetheless, it is the best approach for him.
Your last comment is rather out of context...If my intention to say, IT IS OK TO COMMIT CRIMES EITHER IN AND/OUT OF THE TEMPLE, I WOULD NOT SAY OR USE THE 'WORD' BETTER.....! THINK WISELY BROTHER! the key in my comment is 'better'!
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