Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday asked government ministers to produce YouTube videos of tes sna, or traditional Buddhist preaching concerning social issues, in order to encourage a wider audience to follow the Buddha’s teachings.

Speaking to about 500 Buddhist monks and senior government officials during the close of the annual Buddhist conference at Chaktomuk Theatre, the premier noted that many Cambodians simply don’t have the time to listen to daily tes sna broadcasts.

“Not every Cambodian person is able access the tes sna on televisions and radio, but Cambodians, including Cambodians living overseas, would be able to access the website and YouTube,” said Hun Sen. “At least 10 per cent of the tes sna should be posted on YouTube.”

The premier called on the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Cult and Religion, along with other institutions, to figure out a way to implement his recommendations.

“This is the age of information technology. Therefore, we have to use this technology to widen the preaching of the Buddha and to link into our society in order to encourage people to commit a good deed,” said Hun Sen. “I have become addicted to listening to the tes sna. After I listen, it makes me relaxed.

“When more people commit good deeds, it means that there will be less people in prison.”

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith estimated about 40 per cent of Cambodians listened to the tes sna broadcasts.

“Tes sna could educate people not to be overly ambitious, but we need to translate some verbal [Pali] into simple language to ensure people’s understanding,” Kanharith said.

Rong Chhun, president of the  Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association, said he supported the idea, but encouraged the premier to follow his own advice.

“Even if Prime Minister Hun Sen is still not able to cool down, he must act as a model and stop acting cruelly against the opposition and civil society,” Chhun said.