How do Cambodians pray?

Astian · Post by **Astian** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 1:30 am

I'm wondering specifically in what language bar girls ask for good luck when they pray with incense at a temple or in front of a spirit house, as I've often see them do before they start a night of work. I'm writing a short story, part of which is from the Khmer girl's perspective, and I'd like this to be realistic. Would they invoke the Buddha's name, e.g. "May the Buddha grant me good luck," and would they specifically pray for good luck with their jobs, with men, etc., or would it be more general?

I'm not in the country right now, and my Khmer friends simply tell me they are asking for good luck, but what might they be saying specifically? If anyone knows or can ask, I'd be very grateful.

Playboy · Post by **Playboy** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 2:02 am

Loke Ta, Loke Ta, somnang la'or ...

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Lucky Lucan · Post by **Lucky Lucan** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 2:06 am

Spirit houses aren't Buddhist, they are Animist. They are used to give respect to ancestors/ghosts, or Neak Ta - guardian spirits. There's nothing very deep about any of it besides the fact that they have been doing it for longer than anyone can remember. Outside of the Sangha (or Buddhist orders) there isn't any real understanding of any of it, it just boils down to folk religion and superstition. It's not unusual for people to visit shrines to devine the lottery numbers.

MONEYBACKGUARANTEE · Post by **MONEYBACKGUARANTEE** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 3:11 am

ricecakes · Post by **ricecakes** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:37 am

Playboy wrote:Loke Ta, Loke Ta, somnang la'or ...

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He said bar girls so more like

Loke ta Loke ta som barang jiamoy loy jraaaaaaaan

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Astian · Post by **Astian** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:10 am

Ah, of course the spirit houses are animist--there's just such syncretism in the region between beliefs.

What would "loke ta" translate to?

Londo · Post by **Londo** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 8:42 am

I'm wondering specifically in what language bar girls ask for good luck when they prey....

FTFY.

Lucky Lucan · Post by **Lucky Lucan** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:58 am

Astian wrote:
What would "loke ta" translate to?

It's just a respectful way of addressing an elder male.

violet · Post by **violet** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:18 am

what is the 'ta' bit. I knew loke (loak)

Lucky Lucan · Post by **Lucky Lucan** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 1:16 pm

Grandfather.

Joon · Post by **Joon** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:32 pm

Astian wrote:I'm wondering specifically in what language bar girls ask for good luck when they pray with incense at a temple or in front of a spirit house, as I've often see them do before they start a night of work. I'm writing a short story, part of which is from the Khmer girl's perspective, and I'd like this to be realistic. Would they invoke the Buddha's name, e.g. "May the Buddha grant me good luck," and would they specifically pray for good luck with their jobs, with men, etc., or would it be more general?

I'm not in the country right now, and my Khmer friends simply tell me they are asking for good luck, but what might they be saying specifically? If anyone knows or can ask, I'd be very grateful.

I'm not a bargirl and I'm a lousy devout but when I do pray, I invoke "Preah Ang" (Buddha and whoever is a higher power), ancestors and spirits (Lok Yeay, Lok Ta), house spirit, spirits of the land to come and receive our food offerings, I thank them for the good luck and protection so far of my son, my family, my house and myself and i ask them to keep giving us protection and good luck in health, work, business, money, etc.

All in Khmer.

ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ · Post by **ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:37 pm

Joon wrote:
Astian wrote:I'm wondering specifically in what language bar girls ask for good luck when they pray with incense at a temple or in front of a spirit house, as I've often see them do before they start a night of work. I'm writing a short story, part of which is from the Khmer girl's perspective, and I'd like this to be realistic. Would they invoke the Buddha's name, e.g. "May the Buddha grant me good luck," and would they specifically pray for good luck with their jobs, with men, etc., or would it be more general?

I'm not in the country right now, and my Khmer friends simply tell me they are asking for good luck, but what might they be saying specifically? If anyone knows or can ask, I'd be very grateful.
I'm not a bargirl and I'm a lousy devout but when I do pray, I invoke "Preah Ang" (Buddha and whoever is a higher power), ancestors and spirits (Lok Yeay, Lok Ta), house spirit, spirits of the land to come and receive our food offerings, I thank them for the good luck and protection so far of my son, my family, my house and myself and i ask them to keep giving us protection and good luck in health, work, business, money, etc.

All in Khmer.

Just out of interest Joon, how is your religious language?
I understand much of it but it hasn't made it into my active vocabulary.

So when I try to use it I end up bumbling along using the wrong words and realising half a second afterwards. End up feeling pretty self conscious about it.
Though Khmer folk are much more forgiving to me than I am to myself.

Joon · Post by **Joon** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:48 pm

^ I just know I have to say "kana" a lot instead of "khnyom" and "ja".

So in general I avoid talking to or addressing monks.

But actually, one can just speak normally to them, they won't mind and they understand.

We work with young monks sometimes, and my colleagues will address them as "Lok Bong" informally, and "Preah Ang" or "Preah Dech kon" in more formal settings.

Astian · Post by **Astian** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:49 pm

Thanks, Joon--that's exactly what I was looking for.