The Documentary Podcast Heart and Soul: Violence, children and Cambodia’s monks
Apr 10, 2025
Explore the heart-wrenching legacy of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime and its impact on families and communities. Discover how Buddhist monks, nearly annihilated during the genocide, have become pivotal in promoting non-violence and healing. Hear stories of survivors and innovative programs, like using TikTok, that merge faith with modernity to inspire the younger generation. Delve into the monks' role in addressing domestic violence, building community resilience, and fostering cultural healing in the face of trauma.
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Survival Through Music
- Arn Chuan Pan, a Khmer Rouge genocide survivor, shares his harrowing childhood experience.
- Forced into a labor camp as a child musician, he witnessed daily executions and the deaths of most of his peers.
Persecution of Monks
- The Khmer Rouge targeted Buddhist monks, viewing them as parasitic and detrimental to society.
- They were forced to derobe, temples were repurposed, and religious practices were suppressed.
Intergenerational Violence
- The Khmer Rouge's violence normalized brutality, creating lasting mental health issues and intergenerational trauma.
- Rit Smeihong from Save the Children highlights the pervasive anxiety and violence resulting from this trauma.