Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Senate President, recently spoke about how much he supports and respects the important role that religion plays in making Cambodian society more moral and virtuous.
Speaking at the 33rd National Congress of Buddhist Monks in Phnom Penh, Mr. Hun Sen (who is also a top advisor to the King) made it clear that even though Buddhism is Cambodia’s official state religion, the country treats all other faiths equally.
He emphasized that groups like Islam, Christianity, and others are free to practice their beliefs according to their own customs. He also praised all religions for their valuable work in improving education, creating social peace, and helping maintain public safety and order.
Mr. Hun Sen highlighted a key partnership: “Buddhism and the government work together to encourage citizens to do good things without violence or wrongdoing.” He stressed that religion and the nation are deeply connected. He reminded the audience that if the country faces trouble, as it did during the Pol Pot regime, Buddhism also suffers.
He added that monks and ordinary people share the same fate: when people struggle, monks struggle, but when society does well, monks receive better support and more temples are built. He also recalled that during conflicts, not only everyday citizens but also monks face danger.
Mr. Hun Sen concluded by stressing that no religion teaches people to do bad things. The government supports religions, and in turn, religions help the government by teaching morality and ethics to the people.
H.E. Chay Borin, the Minister of Cults and Religious Affairs, reported that Buddhism is thriving in Cambodia. As of 2025, there are:
- About 75,500 monks
- Around 5,140 temples (pagodas)
- About 13,800 trained laymen