3 December 2015 Dit Sokthy
The Phnom Penh Post
Chhorn Ean, 47, is a tall, dark man who speaks
slowly in a smoky voice matching his dark Khmer-style, wooden house
that is furnished with luxurious hardwood and sculptures. Sitting
in his living room, Ean reflects on the secret of his success in
the past ten years to Post Property. According to Ean, besides hard
work, there are “unseen things” helping his success.
“I believe there are unseen things. Usually, I
realise unseen things follow to help me when I do something. It’s
up to the people to believe it or not but I worship the spirit
world,” Ean explained.
The father of two sons and one daughter who makes
his money as owner of a bakery chain and a fish processing factory
said his business success shows his long-standing favour with the
spirits.
All of his houses and shops, Ean said, have been
built in the traditional Khmer style, consuming a lot of money for
construction materials and costly worship practices on each
Buddhist holiday. “I pay around $200 for worshipping equipment each
holiday,” he said.
But Ean doesn’t only worship Buddha. “When shrines
are well organised, we believe unseen things help us to have
success. It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction
materials and preparation,” he said and showed Post Property around
his house and garden in Takeo province to explain his anchors to
the spirit world he attributes his success to.
Calling upon the blessing of deceased
children
A miniature house made of bamboo is hung in front of a house. It is
devoted to ghosts or spirits of children that have no relatives
paying worship to them. They can play in and around the house but
also warn the house owner of jealous business rivals, sometimes in
dreams.
Preah Phum
Close to the fence of his property, facing the house, Kea said he
shelters a Preah Phum, a god that protects the village. A Preah
Phum shrine can be made of wood or cement, depending on how rich
one is.
M’neang P’tas
“This is a $3,000 shrine devoted to M’neang P’tas, a female deity
believed to protect the house.”
A M’neang P’tas shrine is generally seen in the
middle of a house and is supposed to be a small size copy of the
house it stands in.
Ancestors
“I also have another shrine devoted to ancestors who passed away,”
Ean said.
In Khmer culture, the soul is believed to live after
the body dies and looks after those who pay worship to
them.
The shrine is placed on the wall and oriented to a
specific direction which is believed to bring happiness.
Yorn (Protection)
A piece of red cloth with Bali scripts is always attached to the
roof of a house. This cloth is called Yorn which means protection.
It is attached to the roof of a house when it is initially built.
It is believed that it can protect a house from fire.
Animal guardians
A statue of animals is believed to protect a house too. Placing a
statute of a lion, a naga, or an elephant in front of a building is
an ancient tradition in Cambodia.
It’s easy to find a statue of animals in front of
ancient temples across the country. Besides animals, a statue of a
guardian is also placed at the gate of a house or
building.