If you’ve been to the Bayon, one of the many ancient temple of Angkor, chances are you may have seen this beautiful old woman (a nun) hiding in one of the many hidden chambers, offering prayers and incense to a statue of the Buddah. She may have even invited you to do the same. Yeay (grandma) Bayon is 75 years old, a rarity in a nation recovering from Pol Pot and civil war.

I remembered her gentle smile from my visit last year, and was so happy to see her welcoming visitors to the temple again this year. At 75 years old, who knows how long we will be blessed with her smile and her presence? For me, visiting Bayon without seeing her would not be the same.

Hopefully I will learn Khmer quick enough to have the opportunity to understand what she was trying to tell me!

Bayon, Angkor, Cambodia.

Also, check out articles in New America Media category: Religion