វគ្គសិក្ខាសាលាអំពីការស្មូតធម៌បទខ្មែរ
This online program serves as a gathering for people of Cambodian/Khmer heritage to learn and practice Cambodian Buddhist chant in a safe, supportive setting. We will study and review chants in Pali, Khmer, and English; sit in silent reflection and meditation; and create space to discuss how these vocal and ritual practices intersect with your own experiences and with Cambodian/Khmer identity in diaspora.
No previous experience in Cambodian chant or knowledge of Khmer is required to join. Special thanks to the alumni of the 2025 Khmer Affinity Retreat at BCBS for inspiring this gathering: https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/blog/a-homecoming-in-song-khmer-affinity-retreat-at-bcbs/
Program Cost
This program is freely offered. If you wish to give a donation, all funds collected will be used for scholarships for the 2027 in-person retreat "Cambodian Dharma Songs: A Khmer Affinity Retreat” at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS) in Barre, MA, currently scheduled for August 13–17, 2027.
Participant Expectations
To build a friendly, supportive container over Zoom, we ask that participants join for the full 90 minutes each session, have their video on, and be located in a quiet space where they can chant out loud, sit in silence, and converse with other Zoom participants during the sessions. Multiple friends, family members, etc. may sit behind the same phone/tablet/computer camera if they are all willing to fully participate; each person needs to register separately, however.
