Mediumship and spirit possession weave through Cambodian Buddhism much like golden threads in a temple mural, blending Theravada teachings with centuries-old animist practices. In village shrines and urban pagodas alike, spirit mediums—often called kruu or k’luon—step in when everyday remedies fall short. When a household falls ill despite herbal cures, or when unexplainable misfortune stalks a family, these ritual specialists are summoned to diagnose and negotiate with the unseen.

At the heart of mediumship is a belief that ancestral and nature spirits—neak ta, phi preah, and wandering khleang—share the same world as humans. Through trance dances and rhythmic drumming, a medium becomes a vessel, allowing a spirit to speak directly. Advice flows on everything from family disputes and financial woes to communal protection against drought or floods. It’s less about theatrical spectacle and more akin to an urgent conference call with forces that, if placated, can restore harmony.

Monks often maintain a courteous distance, supervising spirit ceremonies to ensure they don’t veer into excess but stopping short of dismantling them. This delicate balance—honoring both canonical teachings and folk wisdom—keeps Cambodian Buddhism grounded in real-world concerns. In recent years, post-Genocide trauma and modern anxieties have driven a resurgence in spirit-healing ceremonies. Survivors find that laying grievances before ancestral spirits can complement meditation and chanting, offering a kind of soul-level therapy.

Even amid Phnom Penh’s neon lights and the roar of tuk-tuks, traditional possession rituals pop up at weddings, the Lunar New Year, or after a death. Draped in colorful silks, mediums channel a cascade of guidance—sometimes stern, sometimes playful—reminding everyone that life’s journey treads both seen and unseen paths. In this way, Cambodian Buddhist communities keep the wheels turning, fusing age-old folk elements with monastic discipline to nurture resilience, community bonding, and that ever-elusive peace of mind.