A working place of worship
For many visitors Angkor Wat is a famous ruin and a photograph. For many Cambodians it is something else: a sacred site that is part of daily and annual religious life. Whether you are there at sunrise or midday, you may see people lighting incense, kneeling before Buddha images or receiving a blessing from a monk. Seeing the site this way helps you behave appropriately.
The temple’s Hindu origins and its gradual move into Buddhist use are explained in the separate article on Angkor Wat Hindu to Buddhist history. This article focuses on the present: what Khmer Buddhist worship looks like and how a visitor can be respectful.
Cambodian Buddhism in brief
The main Buddhist tradition in Cambodia is Theravada, the same broad tradition found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. It emphasises the monastic community, the Pali scriptures and the practice of generosity, moral precepts and meditation. Khmer practice also blends in older local beliefs, such as respect for spirits and ancestors, which is common across the region. Practice differs from village to village, and there is no single correct form.
For background on how the wider tradition is arranged, see the article on major Buddhist traditions.
Monks you may see
Monks in Cambodia usually wear saffron or orange robes. At and near Angkor, you may see them walking, chanting, visiting shrines or accompanying lay worshippers. Some live in monasteries in the surrounding area, and the monastic community is part of the local economy of respect and giving.
Some points that help:
- Monks are not performers. They may be willing to be spoken to or may be busy. Treat them as you would any person at work or at prayer.
- Women should not touch monks, or hand things directly to them. This is a widely held rule of monastic discipline in Theravada countries, and a woman wishing to give something typically places it where a monk can pick it up, or passes it through a man. Customs vary a little, so follow local guidance.
- Do not sit or stand with your head higher than a monk if it can be avoided in a ceremony, and don’t point your feet toward them.
- Ask before taking photographs of monks, particularly close up or during prayer. Some will agree, others will not.
The wider habits of courtesy toward monastics are covered in more depth elsewhere on this site.
Offerings and what they mean
Near the Buddha images inside Angkor Wat, you may see flowers, lotus buds, incense sticks, candles and sometimes cloth tied around statues or pillars. Offerings are generally understood as expressions of respect and a way of making merit, which in Theravada Buddhism means accumulating wholesome actions. People may also pour water as a blessing, or place small gifts of food.
Visitors are not expected to join in, though some do. If you do wish to make an offering:
- Buy from sellers near the entrances if they are present, or give a small amount that you are comfortable with.
- Follow what local worshippers do rather than inventing your own gestures.
- Place the offering where others do. Do not move or tidy objects that others have left.
- Hold your palms together in front of your chest if you wish to show respect, a gesture known in Khmer as the sampeah. It is a polite greeting, and the height of the hands varies with the person being greeted.
Some people at the temple may offer blessings or sell items. Decide what you are comfortable with, and remember donating is voluntary. More general guidance is in the articles on shrine offerings and giving alms respectfully.
Festivals and busy days
At times of religious significance, the number of worshippers can rise. Examples of events in the Khmer Buddhist year include Visak Bochea, which commemorates events in the Buddha’s life and is related to the broader Vesak festival, and the Khmer New Year in April. Dates change each year, and celebrations at Angkor itself may differ, so check current sources if you are interested. On busy days the temple can be crowded, and areas may be restricted.
If you find yourself near a ceremony, keep your distance, move quietly and do not step in front of people who are praying. The same principles apply as in visiting during ceremonies elsewhere.
Dress and behaviour
The dress expectations at Angkor Wat are generally strict. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and short skirts, sleeveless tops and revealing clothing may lead to being refused entry to upper areas. Wear light, loose clothing that suits the heat. Details of the temple dress code are discussed elsewhere. Rules at the site can change, so check official advice.
In addition:
- Speak softly, and silence your phone.
- Do not touch sacred images, even if others appear to.
- Do not sit with your back to a Buddha image, or point at it with your feet or fingers.
- Do not climb on carvings or sit on temple steps if signs forbid it.
- Keep any drone or tripod use within what the park authorities permit, which is often limited.
Why “spiritual power” is a matter of perspective
Phrases like “spiritual power” can sound mystical. In practice, for the people who worship at Angkor Wat, it often means a sense of continuity with their ancestors and with the Buddhist tradition, and the quiet satisfaction of giving and prayer. Visitors who are not Buddhist can still respond to the atmosphere and to the care that people show. If you wonder whether you belong, the answer on this site is yes, with respect, and the notes for non-Buddhist visitors discuss this.
Remember that what you see may not be a performance for tourists. Treat each scene as private worship that you are being allowed to witness. If you are uncertain about a custom, watch what locals do or ask a temple attendant politely.