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The principal religion in Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism. This is similar to the situation in Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka. Buddhist thought is often complicated. The idea of lighting involves many consequences. Theravada Buddhism is more attentive to the good of others and thus more tolerant. This tolerant, non-prescriptive religion coexits with other religions like Hinduism and Shintoism. A core precept requires that each individual must take responsibility for his personal actions and failures. Theravada accepts as canonical the Prajnaparamita Sutra and the Lotus Sutra. The French introduced Christianity (9th century), but Buddhism is the dominant religion--about 85 pervent of Cambodiams are Buddhists. Theravada is one of the three great schools or vehicles/paths of Buddhism. It is applied to the Śrāvakayāna, the Buddhist path followed by a śrāvaka (a hearer or disciple as used in both Buddhism and Jainism) who desires to reach arhat status -- a perfected person who has attained nirvana. The term began to be used early after the foundation of Buddhism in Southeast Asia (about the first or second century AD). For nearly two mellennia it played an important role in Cambodian life. Theravada is often contrasted with Mahāyāna, which means the 'Great Vehicle'. The Cambodian approach to Buddhism has been describe as 'relaxed'. For the most part thee is not daily or evenkly participation in religious services. Cambodians commonly visit the Buddhist pagodas for the major holidays, such as Pchum Ben (Ancestor’s Day). For ,any this is the extent of their formal religious practive. Few Cambodians seem to abstain from all of the Five Precepts of Buddhist belief (prohibiting killing, stealing, fornication, lying, and drinking). While Cambodians may not follow all of the Buddhist rules, Cambodians, they mostly continue to accept reincarnation and the idea that one’s status is based on their behavior and actions informer reincarnations. One author suggests this is why many Cambodins treat dogs so badly. Anout 3 percent of the population is Muslim and about the the same proprtio are Christians. Muslim are primarily fomd amomg the Cham and Malay people. One report suggests that the number of Muslims is now growing among Kymer Cambodians in the capital and provinces. The first significant numbers of Christians came during the French colonial period. Western Christian missionaries are today active in Cambodia. There is now little trace left of Hinduim in Cambodia, except archeological. While Hinduism is no longer practiced in Cambodia, it has influences Khmer Buddhist practices, including weddings, funerals, and the use of astrology in determining auspicious dates for important events. Traditional animisim survives among the tribal people. And while it is no common among ethnic Kymers today, Cambodian Buddhism has beem influenced by traitional practices. This includes varios aspects of ancestor worship, shamanism, and animism that predated both Buddhism and Hinduism. Cambodian homes and even temples) commonly have traditional amimist spirit houses. Theseare sn to appease bad spirits and protect the homes’ residents. Most Cambodians, especially in rural area, believe in ghosts and spirits. There are many varied folk tales about both sorcery and ghosts that many Khmers even today accept as fact.
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