Showing posts with label Bonn Kathen SRP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bonn Kathen SRP. Show all posts

Monday, November 09, 2009

Sam Rainsy's Message Of Gratitude To All The Generous People All Over The World Who Have Donated To The Recent SRP Kathen

November 8, 2009
Source: SRP

MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE TO ALL THE GENEROUS PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE RECENT SRP KATHEN

The SRP Kathen organized on October 24-25, 2009, was a big success. We have collected some US$ 12,000 to help a dilapidated pagoda and countless indigent people in a remote area. A more detailed report of the Kathen is presented below under the form of three short video clips.

On behalf of all the Kathen organizers and ultimate beneficiaries, monks and laymen, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to all the generous persons, especially SRP members and supporters all over the world, who have sent big and small contributions and helped make the last SRP Kathen a significant religious, social and political event serving Cambodia’s interest.

May all the donors fully receive the traditional Buddhist blessings.

Sam Rainsy
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Kathen ceremony


Kathen is a Buddhist traditional procession and ceremony organized each year, towards the end of the rainy season, in order for the faithful to collect donations to make offerings to the monks at a chosen pagoda among thousands of them throughout the whole country. The 2009 SRP Kathen took place at Sam Rainsy’s house in Phnom Penh on October 24 and at Ang Romdenh pagoda (Koh Kban Kandal village, Samraong commune, Chantrea district) in Svay Rieng province on the following day. The Ang Romdenh pagoda was chosen because it is a most dilapidated pagoda in a most remote area on the border with Vietnam.

Villagers' grievances


During the Kathen religious ceremony at the above-mentioned pagoda on October 25, villagers living along the border with Vietnam complained to Sam Rainsy about the Vietnamese authorities grabbing their rice fields.

Uprooting of controversially planted wooden poles


Immediately after the Kathen ceremony at the pagoda, villagers who are victims of land confiscation led Sam Rainsy and other SRP National Assembly Members to visit nearby rice fields that had been recently grabbed from them. They showed the Kathen participants from Phnom Penh a number of wooden poles that had been recently, forcibly and controversially planted on their rice fields by the Vietnamese authorities assisted by their complacent Cambodian counterparts. Those wooden poles had been planted there to allegedly help delineate, through a very complex process that nobody understands, a “white zone” or no man's land which, in turn, would determine a new border line that would run deep inside Cambodia’s territory. With the moral support of their elected parliamentarians, the villagers uprooted and threw away six wooden poles to symbolically show their refusal to give up ancestral rice fields they had been cultivating since 1979 and to be deprived of their livelihoods.

SRP Kathen religious procession and ceremony in Svay Rieng province October 25, 2009


Kathen is a Buddhist traditional procession and ceremony organized each year, towards the end of the rainy season, in order for the faithful to collect donations to make offerings to the monks at a chosen pagoda among thousands of them throughout the whole country. The 2009 SRP Kathen took place at Sam Rainsy’s house in Phnom Penh on October 24 and at Ang Romdenh pagoda (Koh Kban Kandal village, Samraong commune, Chantrea district) in Svay Rieng province on the following day. The Ang Romdenh pagoda was chosen because it is a most dilapidated pagoda in a most remote area on the border with Vietnam.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Two pagoda laymen (Achar) fired for allowing Sam Rainsy to organize a Kathen procession

04 November 2009
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer


NGO human rights activists indicated that local authority in the Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province, located near the Vietnamese border, had fired 2 laymen (Achar) for Wat Ang Romdenh Pagoda after they allowed opposition leader Sam Rainsy to organize a Kathen to the pagoda.

Furthermore, the local authority also sued Sam Rainsy at the provincial court, accusing him of destroying public properties because he pulled out border posts.

Nget Nara, a facilitator for the Adhoc human rights group in Svay Rieng province, told RFA that a number of people are also being recently sued by the local authority as well.

Nget Nara said: “Regarding this issue, there are complaints to remove 2 other members of the Chantrea district pagoda committee.”

Chea Yeang, the Chantrea district governor, did not seem to want to reveal the truth regarding Sam Rainsy’s case, he told us to ask the provincial authority about Sam Rainsy’s case and he said that the case of the fired laymen is not an issue. “Go ask the provincial [authority]!” he said.

Sok Serey: How about the laymen who authorized the Kathen ceremony, the laymen who belong the pagoda committee?

Chea Yeang: No! I did not touch the ceremony issue, nobody will touch the ceremony issue.

The alleged fired laymen above could not be reached, but Pov Pheap, the 2nd Samrong commune councilor, who is intimate with this case, said that the firing is true.

Pov Pheap said: “[The chief layman] threatened back, if the two pagoda laymen are fired, the chief layman came to meet with me and he said that he will also resign. Maybe on the 8th day of the waning moon, they will come to announce that these [fired laymen] will return back to work, the other day they were fired!”

Sok Serey: How about Sam Rainsy’s case, who sued him?

Pov Pheap: The Chantrea district governor sued him because he pulled out the posts for border post no. 185. The Yuon forces brought in sand and rock to mark border post no. 185 along the south, then they poured in the foundation, but we don’t know when they will install the post itself, but they brought in the sand etc… already.”

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is currently overseas, but after he was sued, he told RFA recently that he plans to raise the border violation by Vietnam to the International court.

On 25 October, Sam Rainsy led a Kathen procession to the Ang Romdenh pagoda in Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. It was reported Sam Rainsy and the local villagers pulled out border posts there, and they accused the Vietnamese of moving the border into Cambodia. Following this report, the Vietnamese government reacted by saying that Sam Rainsy’s action is “a perverse action, damaging common property, violating both countries’ laws, and bilateral treaties and agreements.”

Monday, October 26, 2009

SRP Kathen to Wat Ang Romdenh along the Vietnamese border in Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province

On 25 October 2009, opposition leader Sam Rainsy and SRP leaders organized a Kathen procession to provide for Buddhist monks in Wat Ang Romdenh Pagoda, located Koh Kban Kandal, Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy leads the Kathen procession (All Photos: SRP)
Sam Rainsy greeted by numerous local villagers
Sam Rainsy greets the local villagers
The Kathen procession arriving at Wat Ang Romdenh Pagoda

Sam Rainsy accused Svay Rieng authority of banning SRP Kathen

24 October 2009
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer


On 24 October, opposition leader Sam Rainsy accused the Chantrea district authority, Svay Rieng province, of banning the opposition party from holding a Kathen procession to Wat Ang Romdenh pagoda, located along the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. The Kathen is planned for 25 October and threats and directives were issued to monks and the pagoda laymen ordering them not to receive this Kathen.

However, the local authority claimed that this accusation is not true.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy told RFA that the banning is a serious discrimination.

Sam Rainsy said: “The SRP organized a Kathen, there will be prayers held on the 24th and on the 25th, there will be a procession leading to a pagoda in Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. The local authority threatened the monks and the pagoda members, telling them not to accept Sam Rainsy’s Kathen. This action is absolutely not proper because we are Buddhist, we go to the pagoda, we hold religious ceremony, we organize the Kathen and there is no party distinction. Politics is one thing, religion is another, and as the rights for all the people, we can organize religious events any time, anywhere, whoever wants to join, they can do so.”

Sam Rainsy indicated that he will hold the Kathen procession as planned on 25 Otober.

Kim Mao, the Samrong commune chief in Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province, indicated that the local authority allowed the holding of this Kathen: “They already authorized it! They just hold a religious celebration!”

Sok Serey: So there will be no ban?

Kim Mao: Yes, yes.

The Chantrea district governor indicated that the accusation above differs from the truth. The authority recently authorized the Kathen celebration: “We give them the authorization already!”

Sok Serey: But, I heard that there were threats against the monks, telling them not to receive this SRP Kathen, is it true?

Chantrea district governor: It’s not. I signed the authorization already! I signed it the other day.

Nget Nara, a facilitator for the Adhoc human rights group, said that the local situation is tense.

Nget Nara said: “It is tight in this province. The situation is tight because in this situation, they [local authority] do not understand the value of Buddhism. They only understand their own political bias and their own party bias. When I went to teach the community and the people, I saw that a number of local officials are very tight, they are very tight against this teaching.”

The SRP plans to organize a Kathen procession on Sunday 25 October. The SRP office indicated that 26 SRP MPs, Senators and numerous SRP activists will join the procession.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

SRP Kathen announcement

Click on the announcement in Khmer to zoom in
A picture showing the condition of Wat Ang Romdenh Pagoda
Inside the current temple of Wat Ang Romdenh Pagoda

Phnom Penh, October 19, 2009

TO ALL SRP LEADERS, MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS

I have the honor to announce to all that, in accordance with our Buddhist traditions, SRP leaders in Cambodia are organizing a Bonn Kathen Tean to Wat Ang Romdenh located in Phum Koh Kban Kandal, Khum Samraong, Srok Chantrea, Khet Svay Rieng, on October 24-25, 2009. The derelict pagoda is located on the border with Vietnam where it is the last Cambodian outpost. Please see the attached invitation and program.

I invite all SRP leaders, members and supporters living overseas who cannot physically join us, to take part in spirit in this Buddhist ceremony. Your religious and patriotic donations are needed and appreciated as they will help the monks and faithful of Wat Ang Romdenh to build a decent Preah Vihear and to improve their dire living conditions. In advance, I thank you for your kind contributions and may you richly receive the traditional Buddhist blessings.

Sam Rainsy

More information is available from the nearest SRP contact in your country of residence or directly from srpcabinet@online.com.kh
________________
Phnom Penh, le 19 octobre 2009

A TOUS LES DIRIGEANTS, MEMBRES ET SYMPATHISANTS DU PSR

J'ai l'honneur de vous informer que, en conformité avec nos traditions bouddhiques, les dirigeants du PSR au Cambodge vont organiser un Bonn Kathen Tean vers le Wat Ang Romdenh situé dans le Phum Koh Kban Kandal, Khum Samraong, Srok Chantrea, Khet Svay Rieng, les 24 et 25 octobre 2009. Cette pagode délabrée se trouve sur la frontière avec le Vietnam où elle représente le dernier avant-poste khmer. Veuillez consulter l'invitation et le programme ci-joints.

J'invite tous les dirigeants, membres et sympathisants du PSR vivant à l'étranger qui ne peuvent pas se joindre à nous physiquement, à participer par la pensée à cette cérémonie religieuse et sociale. Toute donation est bienvenue: elle aidera les bonzes et les fidèles à construire dans cette pagode un Preah Vihear digne de ce nom et à améliorer leurs misérables conditions de vie. D'avance, je remercie les donateurs et leur envoie en retour les bénédictions bouddhiques.

Sam Rainsy

Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter la section du PSR la plus proche dans votre pays de résidence ou écrire à srpcabinet@online.com.kh

Monday, November 03, 2008

SRP Kathen to Wat Kiri Meanchey Pagoda where border dispute with Vietnam is taking place

Arrival of the SRP Kathen procession (All photos: SRP)
Monks blessing
Dedication to the monks
Sam Rainsy helps build the Pagoda's fence, which is also Cambodia 's border with Vietnam, beyond a "grey zone" to be delineated
Sam Rainsy lays down the first fence brick
Sam Rainsy lays down the first fence brick

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy writes about Bonn Kathen to Wat Kiri Meanchey Pagoda and Border issues with Vietnam

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

La lettre en Français se trouve à la fin

Dear Lauk Ly Sokha (SRP-Canada),

I would like to thank you and to congratulate you for the exemplary role you have played in order to make our Kathen in favor of a humble Cambodian pagoda in a most remote area, a world success. This success shows that, on the five continents, Cambodians form a large family. This family is first united by our will to preserve our religious and social customs as well as our popular traditions which are part of our national identity and uphold the Khmer soul. But above all, we are united by our love for our Motherland which is victim of aggression from everywhere. Border problems in the country's Western part have been in the limelight over the last few months. But our Eastern neighbor (Vietnam) has been infringing on our territory on a much larger scale and for a much longer period than our Western neighbor (Thailand). Our Kathen in favor of a derelict pagoda located on the border with Vietnam, in Choam commune where the SRP won the last commune election in 2007, is a highly symbolic gesture to encourage Khmer patriots to hold firm. We must help those of our fellow compatriots who are on the most sensitive frontline to resist. Choam pagoda's fence which we must help erect with our Kathen will be at the same time a small portion of Cambodia's border. This border, on the Eastern side, has been continuously moved to the detriment of our country since 1979.

On behalf of Buddhist monks and all villagers in Choam commune, I express my deep gratitude to you and to all Khmers from the Diaspora who are taking part in our Kathen from far away with their thoughts and prayers.

Fraternal greetings,

Sam Rainsy

For more information about the SRP Kathen please click at
http://tinyurl.com/5soqkm
__________

Cher Lauk Ly Sokha (PSR-Canada),

Je tiens à vous remercier et à vous féliciter pour le rôle exemplaire que vous avez joué pour faire de notre Kathen vers une modeste pagode cambodgienne au fin fond du Cambodge, un succès mondial. Ce succès montre que, sur les cinq continents, les Cambodgiens forment une grande famille. Cette famille est unie d'abord par notre volonté de préserver nos coutumes religieuses et sociales ainsi que les traditions populaires qui contribuent à notre identité nationale et nourrissent l'âme khmère. Mais nous sommes surtout unis par l'amour de notre mère-patrie qui est agressée de toutes parts. Les problèmes frontaliers à l'Ouest du pays occupent depuis quelques mois le devant de la scène. Mais notre voisin de l'Est (Vietnam) empiète et continue d'empiéter sur notre territoire sur une bien plus grande échelle et depuis beaucoup plus longtemps que le voisin de l'Ouest (Thaïlande). Notre Kathen au profit d'une pagode délabrée située sur la frontière avec le Vietnam, dans la commune de Choam où le PSR a gagné les dernières élections communales de 2007, constitue un geste hautement symbolique pour encourager les patriotes Khmers à tenir bon. Il faut aider ceux de nos compatriotes qui se trouvent en toute première ligne à résister. La barrière de la pagode de Choam qu'il faut aider à ériger avec notre Kathen, sera en même temps un petit bout de la frontière du Cambodge qui, à l'Est, n'a cessé de reculer depuis 1979.

Au nom des bonzes et des villageois de Choam (province de Kompong Cham), je vous dis un grand Merci ainsi qu'à tous les Khmers de la diaspora qui participent à notre Kathen par la pensée.

Avec mes salutations fraternelles,

Sam Rainsy

Pour plus d'informations sur le Kathen du PSR, veuillez cliquer à
http://tinyurl.com/5soqkm