Cambodia & Border Conflict: The Venerable of the Bombed Pagoda Speaks Out

This documentary, produced by Pierre-Yves, Chanda and Jean-Clais, tells the story of a memorable visit to the bombed pagoda of Prasat Moan Thom Senchey. Their first meeting with the monks and pagoda assistants, survivors of air attacks, shook the team to the core.

Despite the violence they endured, the dignity, gentleness and determination of these fervent Buddhists to pursue their spiritual mission in a constantly unstable environment bear witness to a remarkable inner strength. This account captures the silent, intimate bond that unites the authors with these courageous men, witnesses to a life reborn in the midst of ruins and war.

Witness

We were deeply moved by our first visit to the bombed-out pagoda of Prasat Moan Thom Senchey. The dignity and courage of the men we met - monks and pagoda assistants - in the face of the unimaginable ordeal of having endured hours of being hit by Swedish Gripen fighter-bombers, struck our team with admiration.

Their gentleness, in contrast to the violence they endured, touched our hearts and forged a silent bond between us. It was this invisible thread that brought us back, some time later, to an area still closed to travellers because of military instability.

We were then able to talk to this handful of fervent Buddhists who had chosen to stand firm and continue their spiritual mission amidst the ruins of the pagoda, peacefully pursuing the practice of the Dharma, bringing back life where the war had wanted to silence everything.

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