After much thought, The Venerable Ratana decided.

  His favorite class is photography. He’s not sure why he likes photography. He just enjoys it.

  The Venerable Ratana, as he wishes to be addressed, is a Buddhist monk from Cambodia. He has been in the temple since he was nine years old.

 Now, instead of living in his hometown, the capital city Phnom Penh, he has been sponsored to come to the United States as part of the Voorhees Temple to spread his beliefs of mindfulness and wisdom.

  The Venerable Ratana sits quietly. He is tall, with dark, brown eyes. He has a nice, tentative smile, but during the interview his face warms into genuine peace. His eyes penetrate to those whom he speaks to with a curiosity to their lifestyle. As he knows, it differs from his vocation.

  He seems nervous, as this interview (along with the student translator, Voyager staffer Cynthia Meas, who speaks Khmer) has taken some time to arrange. Venerable Ratana does not speak English and finds difficulty in some translation.

  Venerable Ratana has lived in the United States for four months. His English has already improved. “It has been hard,” he said. “I understand when people speak English, but I cannot speak back all the time.” He has used Google translate and sometimes his sponsor is able to translate over telephone

  The Venerable Ratana is not new, though, when it comes to learning a new language. As a Buddhist Monk, he must learn a language in the main holy book, Bali.

   “The ordinary people cannot read the Bali,” he said, “and so it is up to the Monks to teach and translate.”

  The book is not composed in Khmer, and so the language is hard to learn. Buddhism originates from India so the previous monks speak in the original tongue. The Venerable Ratana further explained that when Buddha died, in 483 BCE, his disciples spread his beliefs to other countries, “publishing the Buddha elsewhere, moving to Cambodia.”

  These Buddhist Temples are similar, but every region has a different culture, size, and custom.  

  The Venerable Ratana explains that in the temple there are schools that explain to people about religion and about having good morals. He didn’t have any family support when he joined the Temple, but he has found comfort in his teachers.

  He says he will be here hopefully for the whole year. His sponsor is applying for a green card for him so he can stay longer. He has enjoyed the United States. The Venerable Ratana is one of seven Monks brought to Voorhees and Camden from Cambodia.

  Eastern is definitely a change from his usual routine. When he is not at Eastern, he lives at his Temple in Voorhees. He can only eat between 6 am to 12 pm, but can drink water any time of the day.

  As a monk, he also cannot marry and have a family. He also cannot smoke, drink alcohol, gamble, or wear jewelry.

  As we are about to leave, he dismisses himself to reorganize his rust clay robes. His ESL teacher, Mrs. Walton-Mills, comments on how he usually does this a couple times a day.

  The Venerable Ratana shared some of his beliefs as parting words in that, as a student body, we should not speak offensively and lie. We shouldn’t ask for anything in our own desire. “If it is a gift,” he said, “then that’s fine.”

  Throughout the interview, the Venerable Ratana, Cynthia Meas, and I were eager to understand each other. It can frustrating to exist in an unknown atmosphere. Communication is a variable that is hard to handle, on top of learning the material at school. It is in moments like this where we are taken out of our usual climate of religion or culture, or even our language, and it can really change our daily lives. However, the Venerable Ratana feels optimistic. He has made great advancements in his joy and mindfulness. This is all an experience. He’s ready for his calling.