dark side of karma

I live in a Buddhist country. The belief in karma is very pervasive here, not just as an interesting philosophy, but rather as a theology that influences many daily life decisions. As a Christian who comes from a non-Buddhist nation I previously thought of karma as an idea related to cause and effect, action and reaction, behavior and consequence. I can tell you from my brief time in Cambodia that it is much more.

The true belief in karma has a giant effect on someones view of themselves and their destiny. Though my understanding of karma seems to infer some control over one's destiny and the course of life, the reality of what this belief produces is very fatalistic. There seems to be a pervasive hopelessness that is hard to address because it is all tied up in how one views the world.

There is another thing I've observed. When one truly believes in the laws of karma there seems to be a lack of compassion for the circumstances of others. The sick and disabled are looked down upon because they likely did something in a past life to deserve their fate.

I was recently in a public place with a man who is living with a disability. He said nothing about it, but I noticed the looks and how he was treated. Essentially, it was as if he were cursed. I've noticed this in other circumstances with those suffering with HIV or other illnesses. There seems to be a dark side to karma that I was not previously aware. Working in this context, I am wondering how to overcome it. Suggestions?

eating rats

On a recent trip out to the village my driver stopped at a roadside cafe. By cafe, I mean it was a small shack, with a table of random items (most unrecognizable) and a grill. On the grill was a very popular item with the locals. What was it? Grilled rats.

What I learned from this experience is when rats are grilled they get stiff. The cook then uses their tail to turn them as they cook. These rats were spread out like a 5-point star over the grill. The driver innocently asked me if I wanted one, I kindly declined the request. A truck load of field workers stopped in while we were there and ate up the delicacy.

The funny part is that as I was recounting this story to one of the American staff at my destination. The staff member shared with me that the Australian intern had tried rat the night before and was consequently feeling sick from it.

I had to find the intern and ask a very pressing question. Maybe you would like to know what rat tasted like, or what it's texture was. But my question was more pressing than that...I simply wanted to know: why? Why would anyone from the Western world willingly choose to eat a rat?

She said she tried it because she was told it is a field rat and those are better than city rats. Whatever! As far as I am concerned, eating rat is not part of my diet unless I am on the verge of death from starvation.

So, some knowledgable person out there - is eating field rats better than eating city rats? I'll just have to take your word on the matter as this is one experience I will pass on.

working poor

Children in Cambodia go to school six days a week. Usually, half days. Why so many days? Because their parents work a minimum of 6 days a week, generally from just after sunrise to just before sundown. There is a small siesta in the afternoon, but this is a very hard working country.

Most people run some kind of private business. It is not unusual to see small shops run out of the first floor of someone's home. Small businesses and start-ups are common. Entrepreneurship is everywhere!

The majority of people have a job - driving a tuk or a moto, collecting recycables, working in a shop, the best jobs are working at restaurants frequented by foreigners or in an office. The best jobs require an ability to speak English, computer skills and, thus, some level of education.

Though I don't know the exact figure, the unemployment rate in Cambodia is low. Unfortunately, these are the working poor. Can you imagine working six or seven days per week and still not making enough to feed your family? It is a tradgedy.

I am starting to believe the answer to Cambodia's economic problems is increasing industry. Most products here are imported from Thailand, Vietnam, Korea or some other more developed place in Asia. Cambodian's aren't lazy, they just need jobs that pay a fair wage and some larger industry to support their efforts. These are the working poor. I pray their labor is not in vain.

riverboat cruise

The Mekong River runs through our city. It is possible to rent a boat for $10-20 USD. Generally, a drink is provided as part of the fee during the one hour boat cruise. Kenyon and I recently went on a riverboat cruise with some friends. It offered a unique view of the place we live. Some of the sites I thought would be worth sharing.

Fishing is a large industry in our part of the world. It is a huge source of income and protein for those who live here. As countries like China dam the Mekong upstream there is speculation about what might happen to those downstream who rely on the river for food and livelihood.

Many of those who make their living off the river, also reside in these riverside housing developments. I am told that many of these are people without a homeland. A large percentage are of Vietnamese decent, who came to Cambodia during more difficult times in their country. Without documentation they cannot return. If born here they cannot return, and they are not able to gain residency here. Thus, they live on the river as people without a homeland.

The riverfront is becoming a desirable location to build. I took this picture hoping to show the contrasts between the have and have-nots. On land is a beautiful new villa, right next to those who are living in a floating shanty.

As we were coming closer to our port to dock, I noticed this group of people washing clothes in the river.

Just another day in the Phen...

a smile is universal

There is something I've noticed in all my travels around the world. Hand gestures may mean something different from one place to another. What is innocent in one place may be rude in another. But a smile...a smile is universally understood as a friendly expression between people.

Smile at someone, and you often receive a smile back. It is positive non-verbal communication, which is necessary when one does not speak the language well.

Just a reminder, that as humans we share a lot of commonalities regardless of the color of our skin, language we speak, or geographic region we are from. Also, there are simple ways to show kindness. I'd encourage you to share a smile with someone today.