In Soc Trang, Pagodas Become Classrooms for Ethnic Khmer Writing

via The Gioi, 22 November 2023: In Soc Trang, Vietnam, pagodas serve as vital centers for teaching the Khmer script and language, playing a crucial role in preserving the Khmer culture. The province, known for its 92 Khmer pagodas, has become a hub for educating monks and children in the Phum Soc community.

Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang has been renowned for its ancient pagodas with unique architectural styles which reflect the culture and belief of each ethnic group. The province is now home to 92 Khmer pagodas which are closely associated with the cultural, daily and spiritual life of local community.

Specially, pagodas organized classes to teach and foster Khmer script for monks and Buddhists in Phum Soc, contributing greatly to preserving and promoting their ethnic handwriting.

Coming to Sro Lon pagoda (Chen Kieu pagoda), Dai Tam commune (My Xuyen district, Soc Trang province), I met Teacher Huynh Thanh Teo when he was standing on the podium and using projectors to explain words and translating meanings from the Pali into Khmer languages so that the monks can easily understand.

Source: Joy of teaching ethnic writing in Khmer pagodas