Venerable Monk Loun Sovath Responds To Threats in Cambodia

On April 26, Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Non Nget banned Venerable Sovath from all pagodas in Phnom Penh on the grounds that these actions "[had] caused villagers to think badly about Buddhism." This was the latest threat by Buddhist authorities against Venerable Loun Sovath, a monk who decided to actively defend the rights of Cambodians.
 
Since 2009, Venerable Sovath has supported communities forcibly evicted from their land. In the video, he explains that his actions are in line with Buddhist teachings that advocate helping and saving people's lives. Buddha, he says, would also go where there is misery.
 
Conscious of the immense gravity of the situation -- over a quarter of a million people in Cambodia have been affected by land disputes -- Venerable Sovath refuses to stay quiet. He believes it is an individual duty to support these communities in their struggle.
 
For more information on Venerable Sovath visit www.licadho-cambodia.org