A place to "sow knowledge" for monks

The Khmer Theravada pagodas in Can Tho City in particular and the South in general are not only places for religious activities and preserving architecture imbued with national cultural identity, but also become centers of Buddhist education for children of Buddhists and monks in the region. There, "special classes" are regularly maintained, where monks practice and receive general knowledge and Buddhist teachings.

The monks in their robes listened attentively to the teacher's lecture.

Sro Lon Pagoda (Chen Kieu Pagoda), My Xuyen Ward, Can Tho City, annually organizes Pali-rong (elementary) classes, attracting a large number of monks from inside and outside Can Tho City to study.

In the simple classroom, rows of tables and chairs were neatly arranged, dozens of monks wearing robes attentively listening to the teacher's lecture. On the desks, besides the Pali scriptures, there were notebooks and general textbooks.

Monk Danh Minh Chien, from Cai Duoc Vam Pagoda ( An Giang Province), shared: “I have been studying Pali-rong at Sro Lon Pagoda for 3 years. Here, I not only practice the teachings but also improve my general knowledge. This is a precious opportunity to teach the young Khmer people in the hamlet in the future, contributing to preserving the culture, language and customs of the Khmer people.”

According to Venerable Kim Hoang Hung, Abbot of Sro Lon Pagoda, this year the pagoda opened 3 Pali-rong classes (Pali 1, 2, 3) with more than 100 monks attending. Venerable Kim Hoang Hung said: "In addition to practicing Buddhism, monks also learn general cultural knowledge. This is the foundation for them to be able to teach Buddhism, participate in social activities, and contribute to the Khmer community as well as society in general."

Teaching classes are not only conducted by monks and senior monks, but also by teachers and volunteer Achar. They are special “sowers of knowledge”, bringing secular knowledge into the temple, accompanying monks in teaching students. While teaching at Tum Nup Pagoda (An Ninh Commune), Mr. Huynh Thanh Teo, who has been involved with Pali for many years and has been invited to teach by Khmer Theravada pagodas, shared: “Every class here, I feel the respect for knowledge. The monks carefully take notes of each word. Many students, after graduating from Pali-rong, continue to study at the Southern Secondary Pali Cultural Supplementary School. It is a great joy to see students continue their journey of learning the national language.”

Not only at Sro Lon Pagoda, the opening of Pali-rong classes for monks is also maintained at many other Khmer Theravada pagodas, such as: Prek Ta Kuol (Gia Hoa commune), Tum Nup, Peang Som Rith (An Ninh commune), Chroi Tum Kandal (My Xuyen ward), Peam Buôl Thmay (Phu Loi ward), Serey Kandal (Vinh Phuoc ward)... Each pagoda attracts from 20 to 60 monks to study.

In the development of Can Tho City today, the Khmer Theravada pagodas are still lit every night, resounding with the chanting of sutras and the studying of monks. That is the sound of intellectual belief and the desire to preserve national identity. As a monk once said: "A bright candle can light many other candles. Each word sown today will tomorrow blossom into knowledge, into personality to serve the community."

Article and photos: THACH PIC

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/noi-geo-chu-cho-cac-tang-sinh-a192198.html