A lively tug-of-war has emerged between two visions of Khmer spirituality. On one side, purist Theravāda monks are hand-raising against what they see as distracting “spirit clutter”—spirit houses, necromantic rituals and guardian-spirit shrines tucked into pagoda courtyards. Their argument? These folk practices can obscure the Buddha’s core teachings and expose devotees to superstition. A few high-profile temple leaders have even quietly removed spirit-shrine clusters, hoping to steer laypeople back to meditation, Pāli chanting and vipassanā retreats.

Standing their ground are traditional custodians—pagoda committees and senior elders—who insist these rituals are the secret sauce that keeps Khmer Buddhism alive in everyday life. During the past year, as water-blessing ceremonies and Phnom Penh’s giant bo tree festival drew record crowds, proponents have pointed out that folk rites offer comfort in times of uncertainty—whether it’s planting season anxieties or pitch-black Typhoon season worries. They argue that village shrines and the prahm vong dance don’t dilute the Dharma; they dovetail perfectly, like rice and prahok.

Recent UNESCO discussions added fuel to the fire. Application bids to list Khmer folk-Buddhist rituals as intangible cultural heritage sparked headlines: Is government endorsement of mask dances and spirit-calling ceremonies a boon for cultural preservation, or merely a tourist spectacle? Youth activists have taken to Facebook and TikTok, posting split-screen videos of age-old offerings alongside smartphone meditation apps—an experiment in modern syncretism that’s winning followers but raising eyebrows among elders.

Meanwhile, a handful of NGOs and the Ministry of Cults have begun drafting guidelines to strike a balance: safeguarding local customs, while encouraging ethical conduct and environmental stewardship of sacred groves. More voices are calling for dialogue rather than erasure—because, after all, the very essence of Cambodian Buddhism may well lie in its ability to blend lofty precepts with down-to-earth folk wisdom.