Buddhism For Developement

Radio is used a vehicle for Buddhists monks and nuns to assist their mission of socially engaged Buddhism, connecting Buddhism with day-to-day issues of social and moral development, human rights, gender and health as well as environmental conservation and protection, sustainability and natural resource management issues.

To ensure a strong focus on development, programming is centred around social themes inspired by United Nations International Days (e.g. International Women’s Day, World Health Day, World Water Day) with program content designed to connect issues and Buddhist principles providing meaning and context of relevance to local communities.

The programs are delivered daily through commercial radio. Program usually covers 6 content areas: Reading and describing a story from Buddha’s life; a story from the life of a past Buddhist disciple; responding to questions from mail sent to the program; acknowledging donations to local pagodas from devotees; mentoring on Buddhist principles.

Nationally, Buddhist philosophic and moral teachings are presented through Cambodian national TV, with several major networks offering programming. TV coverage in Cambodia reaches most major centres, less so outlying regional rural areas.

A simple philosophy seeks to encourage Cambodians to help each other – Cambodian listeners are asked to donate funds to the Poor Box located in Pagodas, and then they are asked to nominate poor communities where the funds would best be spent.

Once a community is identified, a group of monks loads a truck with basic supplies from the market and heads off to deliver to the distant community.

The results are often excellent, with schools being built and communities supported with

basic food supplies, along with clothes and uniforms, books, writing material and resources for school.

BFD coverage presently is via Battambang FM Khemara 91 MHz, Banteay Meanchey 103.5MHz , Oddar Meanchey FM 90.25MHz, Pailin 90.5MHz, Siem Reap 100.5MHz