Cambodia’s Religious Schools to Integrate Meditation in Curricul

Ministry

Cambodia’s Minister of Cults and Religion, Chay Borin, has called for the integration of meditation into Buddhist school curricula, as part of a broader push to modernise religious education and strengthen national identity.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a training course for Buddhist secondary school administrators on Wednesday, Borin urged educators to embrace meditation not only as a spiritual practice but as a tool for holistic development—physical, mental, intellectual, and moral. The event was held at the General Secretariat of the National Buddhist Education in Phnom Penh.

Borin emphasised the need to update teaching methods and curricula to reflect the realities of the digital age. He called for improved teacher qualifications and greater responsiveness to national and global changes, including technological transformation. “Buddhist education must evolve to meet the needs of modern society while preserving its core values,” he said.

The minister encouraged newly trained administrators to apply their knowledge to enhance the quality of instruction in their institutions. He also urged monks from both Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions to continue promoting ethics, virtue, and cultural preservation through sermons and digital platforms.

Borin highlighted the role of Buddhist education in fostering a harmonious society, noting that it must align with principles of law, justice, equity, and morality. He praised the system’s contribution to Cambodian society, citing scholars proficient in Pali, Sanskrit, Dharma theory, and Buddhist philosophy who have emerged from primary to postgraduate levels.

The initiative reflects Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to balance tradition with innovation, ensuring that Buddhist education remains relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing world.

-2025-09-05