Bour Kry
Cambodia·Thammayut order·Male·20th century
Samdech Preah Sangkhareach Bour Kry is the current Supreme Patriarch of the Thammayut order in Cambodia, born in 1945. He was ordained as a monk in 1963 and dedicated his early years to studying the Pali Canon. Following the Khmer Rouge regime, he fled to France, where he founded the Association Bouddhique Khmer and later established Vatt Khémararam in Créteil, Paris.
Key Facts
- ›Born in Battambang, Cambodia, on January 11, 1945.
- ›Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1963 and studied the Pali Canon.
- ›Fled Cambodia in 1975 due to the Khmer Rouge and arrived in France in 1976.
- ›Founded the Association Bouddhique Khmer in France in 1977.
- ›Established Vatt Khémararam monastery in Créteil, Paris, in 1980.
- ›Appointed Supreme Patriarch of the Cambodian Buddhist Dhammayuttika order in 1991.
Important Relationships
- Norodom Sihanouk
Battambang, France, CréTeil, Paris, Cambodia
Khmer, Pali
Ordained As A Monk
About Bour Kry
Samdech Preah Sangkhareach Bour Kry
Samdech Preah Sangkhareach Bour Kry is the seventh and current Supreme Patriarch of the Thammayut order of Cambodia. Born on January 11, 1945, in Battambang, he was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1963 and dedicated his early monastic years to the study of the Pali Canon. Following his ordination, he assumed spiritual leadership roles, including Secretary of the Mekon and head of a monastery situated on the Thai-Cambodian border.
Exile and Community Building in France
The rise of the Khmer Rouge in 1975 posed a significant threat to the Cambodian Sangha, prompting Bour Kry to flee the country. He arrived in France in 1976, where he co-founded the Association Bouddhique Khmer (Khmer Buddhist Association) in 1977 with fellow expatriate monks and lay supporters. This religious community grew, leading to the establishment of Vatt Khémararam in Créteil, a suburb of Paris, in 1980. Bour Kry's commitment to supporting the Southeast Asian refugee community extended to founding Secours Bouddhique International (International Buddhist Assistance) in 1982, an independent humanitarian organization.
Return to Cambodia and Religious Leadership
Prince Norodom Sihanouk recognized Bour Kry's spiritual standing, appointing him to the rank of Spiritual Eminence in 1987. Following the Paris Agreement in 1991, King Norodom Sihanouk further elevated Bour Kry to the position of Supreme Patriarch, heading the Cambodian Buddhist Dhammayuttika order. After 1991, Bour Kry made regular visits to Cambodia to support the reconstruction and development of Buddhist schools and monasteries, contributing to the growth of over 150 Dhammayuttika monasteries.
Social and Educational Initiatives
Bour Kry played a role in the founding of the Preah Sihanouk Dhammadhiraj Buddhist Institute in 1995. This institute aims to provide education and vocational training for impoverished youth, revitalize Buddhist teachings, and introduce Cambodian youth to their cultural heritage. He has also actively engaged in addressing public health issues, participating in international discussions on AIDS and advocating for the role of monasteries in disseminating health information. Bour Kry has also been involved in raising awareness about drug and cigarette dependence in Cambodia.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Bour Kry born?
Bour Kry was born in Battambang, Cambodia, on January 11, 1945.
What was Bour Kry's early religious training?
He was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1963 and spent his early years devoted to the study of the Pali Canon.
Why did Bour Kry go into exile?
He fled Cambodia in 1975 due to the rise of the Khmer Rouge, which endangered the Cambodian Sangha, and arrived in France in 1976.
What religious organizations did Bour Kry found in France?
In 1977, he founded the Association Bouddhique Khmer (Khmer Buddhist Association) and later, in 1982, the humanitarian organization Secours Bouddhique International (International Buddhist Assistance).
What is Bour Kry's current role in Cambodian Buddhism?
He is the seventh and current Supreme Patriarch of the Thammayut order of Cambodia, a position to which he was appointed in 1991.
What are some of Bour Kry's notable activities in Cambodia after his return?
He has assisted in the reconstruction of Buddhist schools and monasteries, founded the Preah Sihanouk Dhammadhiraj Buddhist Institute, and addressed issues such as AIDS, drug dependence, and cigarette dependence.
Related Buddhists
Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII was the most powerful monarch of the Khmer Empire, reigning from 1181 to around 1218. As the first Khmer king devoted to Mahayana Buddhism, he initiated a welfare state and commissioned extensive public works, including hospitals and temples, aimed at alleviating human suffering. His reign is marked by monumental construction projects, most notably the Bayon temple and the city of Angkor Thom, and significant military achievements, including the conquest of Champa.
Gelek Rimpoche
Kyabje Nawang Gehlek Rimpoche was a Tibetan Buddhist lama, recognized as a tulku (incarnate lama) at the age of four. He is known for his intellectual insight, familiarity with modern culture, and effectiveness as a teacher of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, teaching in English without a translator. He played a significant role in preserving Tibetan texts and oral histories, and founded the Jewel Heart organization.
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was a Tibetan Buddhist master and a significant figure in introducing Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the Vajrayana teachings, to the West. He founded institutions like Vajradhatu and Naropa University and developed the Shambhala Training method, aiming to integrate Buddhist principles into everyday life. Despite his influential teachings and role in establishing Buddhist communities in North America, his methods and personal conduct, including heavy drinking and sexual misconduct allegations, generated considerable controversy.