Buddhist Monk Daily Life Activities – My Monkhood Life Experience
With the influx of Indian culture and civilization since the first century, we Cambodian people today are predominantly Buddhists. This faith occupies up to 90% of the total population, which is around 18 million people as of 2021. Buddhism is officially registered as the only state religion in Cambodia—you can even read this in the motto of our Kingdom: Nation Religion King.
In this article, I want to share my own specific story—the story of Samnang Chhon (known as Sam)—about my daily life activities as a Buddhist monk. As the founder of SAM INSPIRE and the author of this blog section, I usually share content about lifestyles, nature, and travel. However, taking a big break from being busy with business and social work, I took a twenty-day escape to a super peaceful Buddhist temple called Peung Bak Ro Tes Pagoda.
During this period, I spent 14 days ordained as a Buddhist monk, serving the religion’s rules firmly. This was not my first time living in a pagoda, but I was impressed by how the monks’ routines here differed from my former temple. Peung Bak Ro Tes offers a better way to practice and live as a monk for those who truly want to build peace and find enlightenment.
In the following paragraphs, I will share my experiences from the first day until I came back to normal life.
Pre-Ordination Days – Temple Boy / Monk Boy
Turning one’s life into a monk seems like a simple process, but in fact, doing it the traditional way is not so easy. I had been thinking about becoming a short-term monk, but I did not know how to do it without support, especially regarding the ordination ceremony and managing my family duties.
Unexpectedly, one evening, I got a call from Mrs. Sayon, the wife of my good friend Mr. Vanny, inviting me to join Vanny’s ordination ceremony. Without any hesitation, I asked Sayon if I could also join Vanny’s journey to be a monk. Sayon quickly checked with her family and gave the feedback that I could join him.
The ceremony was planned for the next two days, which was a bit of a rush. The next day, I packed lightly—just a towel, a pair of clothes, and some toiletry kits. I said goodbye to my two kids and rode my motorbike toward the Peung Bak Ro Tes Pagoda with Vanny’s wife and kids. This temple is located around 120 km East of Siem Reap in a mountainous jungle area with no access to public electricity, paved roads, or phone service coverage. Once you are there, no one can reach you.
I only told my wife, Mealea Ley, by leaving a message on the way just as the phone service coverage was about to end. I did not wait to see if she would agree; I just went ahead with my plan. This made me feel selfish, but I remembered the story of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha. He also left his family without informing them or seeking agreement, focusing instead on his mission to purify his mind. I simply hoped to purify my mind through Buddhism and come back home a better family leader.
Once I arrived at the temple, I surprised Vanny with my unexpected presence and the news that I would also ordinate with him. On this first day, nothing major happened; it was a time for socializing with the monks, the “monk boys,” and other people there.
Among those people, I got to know Venerable Phikkhu Ry, who is very knowledgeable about Buddhism in both traditional and modern norms. Vanny and I learned a lot from him, and we effectively became Phikkhu Ry’s personal assistants. We prepared the food, washed the dishes, cleaned the house, and performed other work as required.
As an orientation, I was privileged to take part in a Mountain Climbing Trip to the neighboring mountain called Mount Kong Kaeb (Frog Mountain). The hiking, climbing, and views were just superb!
Day two of being “monk’s boys” arrived. This was the preparation day for the ordination. After serving the monk in the morning, Vanny’s family arrived at the temple. We started to inform the nuns, wisemen, and other people that tomorrow there would be a new monk ordination ceremony, inviting them to join. Vanny’s mum appointed the experts there to make the ceremony worshiping materials and decorations according to traditional Cambodian organization.
Please note that there are two types of ordaining monks in Cambodia. One is to be a novice (Sramane), a young monk or first-timer. The other is ordaining to be a Bhikkhu, an adult monk. The ordination of a Buddhist novice is simpler than the Bhikkhu one.
Before the end of the day—and since this was the Head Shaving Day (one day before the full moon or Moonless Day)—Vanny and I had our hair and eyebrows shaved.
On Ordination Day – Life Switched from Normal to Monk
The special and exciting day finally arrived. Right after breakfast, the arrangements were done. Vanny and I received special makeup and dressed up. This tradition represents the last chance to link oneself to external love and the attachments of normal men.
We dressed in traditional attire with Hoall (a sarong-like pant) and a special Silk Krama as a shirt. Our faces, cheeks, and lips were applied with mascara, lipstick, and other makeup, just like what girls normally use for beauty enhancement.
The ordination ceremony started with a three-round procession around the Preah Vihea (ordination hall). During the walking, Vanny and I were asked to hold a piece of Truoy, which is a banana leaf folded and wrapped around incense sticks, candles, and lotus flowers as the peak and core. Some people held big umbrellas, and others held the Three Pieces of Monastic Robes (Tricivara) or Saffron Robes.
The Primary Three Pieces of Monastic Robe / Tricivara ត្រៃតូច (Trai Touch)
- The Inner Cloth (Antaravasaka): អន្តរវាសកៈ (ស្បង់) This is in the form of a waistcloth. The monks wrap this cloth around the waist, covering from the waist to the knee. This is the innermost part of the three-piece monastic robe.
- The Upper Cloth (Uttarasanga): ឧត្តរាសង្គ (ចីពរ) The monks wear this cloth above the Antaravasaka. It covers the upper part of the body, around the torso and shoulders. However, most times the monks wear the Uttarasanga to cover the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder bare. This is certainly the most conspicuous part of the robes, measuring around 6ft × 9ft in size.
- The Outer Cloth (Sanghati): សង្ឃាដិ (សំពត់ដេរផ្គួបភ្ជាប់គ្នាជា ២ ជាន់ ឬ៤ ជាន់) This is in the form of an overgarment. The monks wear it to cover their upper body and use it during cold weather to keep warm. When not using the Sanghati, the monks hang it over their shoulder. The Sanghati is commonly for the full monk / Phikkhu monk only. Novice monks only have the first two robes plus the following items.
In addition to the fundamental monastic attire set above, Buddhist monk has also the following sets and accessories.
The 5 Essential Parts of a Monk’s Attire ត្រៃធំ (Trai Thom / Full Set)
- The Upper Robe (Uttarasanga or Civara): (ឧត្តរាសង្គ or ចីពរ) : This is the large, primary rectangular robe. It is the most visible layer, worn over the left shoulder for daily activities or covering both shoulders during formal ceremonies.
- The Lower Robe (Antaravasaka or Sbong) (អន្តរវាសក or ស្បង់): This serves as the lower garment, similar to a sarong or skirt. It is wrapped around the waist and covers the body down to the knees or shins.
- The Vest or Shoulder Cloth (Angsa or Angsak) អង្ស័ក: Worn underneath the main upper robe, this one-shouldered vest covers the chest and left shoulder. It allows a monk to remain politely covered even when working or resting without the heavy outer robes.
- The Outer Robe (Sanghati) សង្ឃាដិ: This is a thick, double-layered robe, usually folded and carried over the left shoulder. It provides extra warmth in cold weather or is used formally during specific rituals.
- The Belt (Vattha Bandha Changkheh) វត្ថពន្ធ: A simple cloth belt or girdle used to securely tie the Lower Robe (Sbong) (វត្ថពន្ធចង្កេះ) around the waist to prevent it from slipping. Monks also have a upper belt (វត្ថពន្ធទ្រូង) for tying everything together on the chest.
Optional Addition:
- Tote Bag (Thavikā or Thang Yeam) ថង់យាម is the classical Pali word for a bag or purse, most people in Cambodia refer to it by its local name, the Thang Yeam. It is practically the monk’s backpack, allowing them to carry permitted personal items while keeping their hands free.
- The Alms Bowl (Patta / Khmer: Bat) បាត្រ: The round bowl used for collecting daily food alms, symbolizing the monk’s humility and reliance on the community.
- The Talipot Fan (Palm Leaf Fan), Talapatta literally means “Palm Leaf” ផ្លិតស្លឹកត្នោត (Phalit Sleuk Thnoat)៖ Originally made from the leaf of the Talipot palm tree, this fan is used for two main purposes:
- Practical: To cool oneself in the tropical heat.
- Ceremonial: Monks hold it in front of their faces while chanting blessings or scriptures (such as at funerals or house blessings). This is done to help the monk focus on the text and to signal that the blessings come from the Dhamma (the teachings), not from the individual personality of the monk.
- The Receiving Cloth (Patiggahana-vattha Pha Krab) ផាក្រាប: A small folded cloth used specifically to receive offerings from women. This ensures the monk maintains the required respectful distance and avoids physical contact during alms-giving. NOTE: This item is newly created and mostly forbidden from using in Cambodian Buddhist monks.
Vanny and I Become Monks
Back to the procession: the walking was accompanied by cheering sounds and music all the way through. When the third round was met, Vanny, the others, and I walked into the ordination hall. Here, there was a master supported by two Phikkhus. We, the newly ordained men, listened to a sermon, prayed, and worshiped in front of the monks and Buddha statues, as well as the general people there.
After the sermon chanting, we changed into our monastic robes and received the ten Buddhist precepts. Just within two hours, Vanny and I became novice monks. We had our first lunch as monks—and from today onward, no dinner was allowed.
My Monkhood Daily Routines
Switching life from a normal person to a monk seemed simple on the surface—just the clothing and some rules—but to me personally, it felt very different inside. I had to be very careful in every act. The way monks speak also differs from normal people’s glossaries (for example, using “A Thma” instead of “Khnhom” for “I”). Everywhere we went, we received respect from normal people who viewed us as holy people.
Let’s explore together: is this lifestyle truly as holy as it should be? The following is the 24-hour activity cycle that Vanny and I went through during our fourteen-day rotation as monks.
03:00 AM: The newly ordained monks set their alarm clock to wake up. On the first morning, waking up this early was a real challenge, taking us thirty minutes just to get out of bed.
After getting up, we washed our faces, brushed our teeth, and dressed. Again, dressing in the monastic robes was quite challenging; we could not do it alone and requested assistance from other monks.
04:00 AM: The sound of the big drum signaled all the monks, wisemen, and nuns to come to the hall for morning prayer. Every morning at 4:00 AM, this drum was beaten.
04:15 AM: Just after the three drum beatings, Vanny and I went straight to the temple. In the ordination hall, there were places arranged for Phikkhus, blocks for novices, and space for laymen and women. We were offered a place to sit in a corner. When everyone gathered, the lead monk started chanting. Vanny and I could only participate in this one-hour chanting by reading the books, while most others did it from memory. This chanting was the Buddha Worshiping Prayer. It happened twice a day: once at dawn and once in the evening.
Morning Meditation: After the Dharma chanting, the morning mission was not yet closed. There was another very important session: meditation. The regular practice was Walking Meditation for around one hour around the fish pond (approx. 20m x 20m). If it rained heavily, this was switched to Sitting Meditation inside the Hall. The meditation was led by an expert Phikkhu. If any monks—especially novices—missed this prayer and meditation, they had to compensate by walking double the regular amount (two hours or 40 rounds).
From my experience comparing this to other pagodas, I felt that these practices were very good. In most other Buddhist temples, monks only go to pray in the hall, and meditation is not available on a regular basis. That was why I felt this place was so special.
After Meditation: All practitioners went back to the temple for a final prayer to dedicate good deeds to their own people and souls. This lasted around fifteen minutes. Then, everyone took a break and returned to their own houses.
Offering Food to the Monks
Not too long after, a bell sounded from the kitchen, signaling that breakfast was ready to be collected (alms). Normally, breakfast and lunch are held in the Dining Hall, but due to Covid-19, the master asked individuals to eat at their own places. Without delay, Vanny and I brought our alms bowls to pick up the food. We collected food not just for ourselves but also for Venerable Ry. Just as when we were “monk boys,” we prepared the food offerings for the Phikkhu first before having our own meal.
Vanny and Venerable Ry even visited A Rang Bay, an elephant pet of The Beige Hotel from Siem Reap. During the hotel closure, A Rang Bay was brought to this mountain area to be raised because the area is filled with the elephant’s natural food. The team always brought gifts, specifically Sugar Cane Trees, for him. A Rang Bay likes this plant so much because sugar cane is sweet, while most other natural plants and wheat there are plain.
Please watch this video and see how they feed the elephant with sugar cane plants:
Afternoon: The break lasted until 5:00 PM for personal activities.
05:00 PM: The big drum beat again to notify villagers of the time. For the monks, this was the bathing time or “first alarm.” The bathroom was filled with monks, and some took baths outside. After bathing, it was time to dress up for the evening temple group chanting.
07:00 PM: The drum beat again to call everyone to the ordination hall to pay respect to the Buddha. The process was exactly the same as the morning: Dharma chanting for one hour, followed by either Walking or Sitting Meditation. Afterward, everyone took a break to their own houses. Some gathered to practice learning lessons, making the evening noisy—like bullfrogs singing after a big rainfall.
In particular, as short-term monks, Vanny and I sometimes took time to chit-chat with Venerable Ry to learn more about monks, Buddhism, and other beliefs. On some evenings, we visited the two Heads of the Monks to offer massages. Since monks are not allowed to eat anything from noon until sunrise (except for soft drinks, tea, and coffee), we drank a lot of tea during these talks. We usually went to bed around 11:00 PM or midnight, getting very few hours of sleep, which caused us to lose significant weight. This rotation repeated for fourteen days.
How I Returned to Normal Life
On the thirteenth day, Vanny and I visited the monk master again, requesting to de-ordinate from monkhood back to normal persons. Master Reach set the time for the afternoon after lunch.
The de-ordination ceremony was simple; there was no need for crowds. In the ordination hall, we chanted to pay respect to the Buddha and the master. The master reconfirmed if we were sure we wanted to return to normal life. Then, he gave a sermon and removed the monastic robes. Vanny and I changed back into our regular clothes and made offerings to the master as a token of appreciation. The master gave us advice on being good people, and the ceremony ended. Vanny and I were now back to being normal people. We took a few more days to serve the monks there before riding our motorbikes back home.
Please note that Peung Bak Ro Tes monastery is a most peaceful temple. There is no phone service or internet available, so Vanny and I truly escaped from the crowd. What I learned and brought home was the meditation lesson and a clear understanding of how monks live.
Bring Authenticity to Your Event with SAM INSPIRE
My personal journey into the monkhood is the foundation of how I run SAM INSPIRE. I believe that whether you are planning a corporate event, a team-building retreat, or a MICE program, the experience should be more than just logistics—it should have soul.
At SAM INSPIRE, we don’t just organize travel; we connect you to the heart of Cambodia. Because I have lived this life, I can help you create authentic, respectful, and deeply meaningful experiences for your group, such as:
- Exclusive Blessing Ceremonies: Start your corporate project with a genuine water blessing by monks to bring harmony and focus to your team.
- Mindfulness Retreats: Let me organize a guided meditation session at a peaceful pagoda, inspired by my days at Peung Bak Ro Tes, to help your delegates disconnect from stress.
- Cultural Insight: We ensure your group understands the etiquette and history of our sacred places, making your visit respectful and impactful.
If you want your next event in Cambodia to carry the “Power of 3 E’s”—Energize, Educate, Empower—contact me and my team at SAM INSPIRE today. Let’s create something meaningful together.
Note: This article is for information purposes only. It reflects my personal findings with zero political touch. If you find value in this story and wish to support me to create more content, please feel free to reach out.
