“Lok Krou” Buth Savong, Dharma Expert and Councellor

By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Every morning from 7am to 9:30am, upwards of 300 people gather at Wat Sampov Meas and Wat Ounalom in Phnom Penh to listen to Lok Akak Bandith Buth Savong’s interpretations of Buddha’s dharma and advice.

Lok Akak Bandith Buth Savong is famous throughout the country for his teaching. He can read Sanskrit, Pali and is also able to explain the contents of the Tripitaka (the three collections of Buddhist texts), commentaries and Pathakatha (lectures).

Puth Narith, an official at the Ministry of Cults and Religions, estimated that about 500,000 people throughout Cambodia listen to Lok Akak Bandith Buth Savong over the airwaves. Narith said that people listened to his advice and considered his teaching of dharma because he had a reputation for having applied himself to generating a solid understanding of the sacred texts.

He said that Lok Akak Bandith Buth Savong’s reputation was established nationwide. He is affectionately known as “Lok Krou” (Guru/Teacher) Buth Savong.

At interview with the Cambodia Weekly, Lok Akak Bandith Buth Savong, 49, who was born in Battambang Province, said that he could read Pali and Sanskrit well, the keys to a deeper understanding of the Tripitaka. With this knowledge, he delights in choosing a text relevant to the context of the day, translating it into Khmer and broadcasting it to the Buddhists of Cambodia.

Kim Veng, 45, is a regular at Lok Akak Bundith Buth Savong’s Wat Sampov Meas sermons.

“I like Lok Krou Buth Savong’s advice very much. It soothes my soul as I believe he has received knowledge of Buddha’s Dharma that is as free of distortion as a living man can make it” she said.

“He is very gentle. His advice on Dharma is based on reality, real situations and people. So, it is completely relevant to me,” she added.

Taing Hap, 56, a Phnom Penh businessman and student of Lok Krou Buth Savong Thought, said he had been listening to Akak Bandith Buth Savong’s for 6 years.

“Lok Krou Buth Savong is an authority in spreading the Buddha’s advice and precepts in Cambodia. The Buddha’s Truth appears to sit enthroned upon his tongue.” he said. “Since listening to him I feel as if I have been helped towards a wealth of Dharma understanding. Ambition and anger no longer find fertile soil to root themselves in my mind. His voice is as a gentle hurricane, that has blown the dust away, as if it never existed.”

Lok Krou Akak Bandith Buth Savong, who lost six close relatives during the Khmer Rouge Regime, lived in Chek III Village, Ratanak Mondul Commune, in Battambang Province. Lok Krou Buth Savong, who is still single, said that, “In literally every aspect of life, the Buddha has presented clarifications in the Dharma and Tripitaka. Essentially, when one understands that all more or less sentient animal as well as human life, is worthy of very sincere respect, then you are on the right path. For no matter who you are, your thinking is very much distorted if you believe yourself to be in some way better than the lowest of the low. This belief is creative, but it creates division, where there should be solidarity. This is the lesson all must and will learn. Fortunately, there is no shortage of time in infinity and the individual can take as many “Life Skills Classes” here on Mother Earth as he likes, just as long as he arrives at this basic understanding. Any time will do. There’s no hurry. Nirvana will look all the more appealing to those who have struggled over numerous incarnations to get there.

The Teacher continued “One of the benefits of looking at life like this is the peace of mind it brings. When the owner makes the effort to properly adjust his mind, this instrument becomes more clear-sighted. It serves the owner better then, as it is open to taking creative advantage of opportunities, in a manner that brings honour and a sense of having behaved well to both. Buddha, Jesus and Mohammed knew these things and walked in enlightenment. Their respective followers would be well advised to end claims to a monopoly on Truth and concentrate on the unity of message.”

“These are not my own opinions, but they are the words and dharma of the Buddha, quoted in the Tripitaka. What is unfortunate is that so very many of our Buddhist followers do not know about these things.” he added.

“I think that if the people understand, practice and follow these teachings of the Buddha, there would be no argument in their minds, their society would be pleasant and there would be no more war.” he said.

Lok Krou Savong has been a student of the Dharma and Tripitaka in 1988, during his monkhood in Battambang province. He left the monkhood after three years, but continued to study the Texts.

“I chose this path because I think it is the only way that I can promote the teaching of Buddha to the people.” he said.

Once he had mastered Bali and Sanskrit, with help from his Venerable friends, his course of study began, fuelled by enthusiasm and the desire to spread the word.

“When I started preaching to people, I noticed that my words seemed to have effect. From that moment on, I was invited on regular occasions to preside over ceremonies organized in Battambang,” he told the Cambodia Weekly when interviewed at Wat Sampov Meas on May 28. From there I was able to speak about the value of the Buddha’s words across Cambodia.

For 25 years now, I have been serving Buddhism and the people of Cambodia. I believe it has been my destiny to do so, and it has filled the vacuum in my heart, following the murder of my Grandfather and Father in the Pol Pot Regime.”

Buth Savong has produced 20 books and produced hundreds of cassettes in his Buddha’s Teaching Series and these are made freely available to followers and monks at pagodas throughout the country and beyond. The material is also broadcast over national and private radio stations across the nation.

He said, “I think that the promotion of Buddha’s dharma in Cambodia I will continue with me until my very last breath.”