PHOTO
Buddhist leaders hope to teach young people
about family duties, religious history, culture and morals.
[ABC]

Australia Network News, Tue, 28 Apr 2009

Nearly 300 young Cambodian men and women have travelled to Muk Kampuldistrict in Kandal province to be ordained as monks and nuns at a10-day course on Buddhist teachings.

However, organisers say the numbers are far fewer than expected.

Kandal province surrounds, but does not include, the national capital of Phnom Penh.

TheCambodian Student Association says the novices will be taught how to begrateful to their parents, about the history of the Buddha, the valueof Cambodian culture and social morals.

The Phnom Penh Post quotes the association as saying only about 40 women are attending.

ChhunnNoem, chief of the Cambodian Student Association based in Chiang Mai,Thailand, said the total number who made the trip, around 270, was farlower than the 500 he had anticipated.

"We only had a short time to promote this ceremony," he said.