Historical tensions, not “natural enemies”

Thailand and Cambodia share deep cultural links: Theravāda Buddhism, related artistic traditions, shared myths, and overlapping histories going back to Angkor and Ayutthaya. Yet, like many neighbours, they have had disputes, including:

• Border disagreements, particularly over temple complexes and historical sites

• Nationalist rhetoric that inflames old grievances

• Localised military skirmishes that, while serious, have fallen short of full‑scale war

In these contexts, fear, pride, and historical wounds can overshadow the shared religious and cultural ground that might otherwise foster reconciliation.

What Buddhism teaches about conflict

Buddhist teachings offer a very different lens through which to view such tensions:

• Non‑harm (ahimsa): Intentionally avoiding harm to others in body, speech, and mind.

• Right speech: Avoiding divisive, harsh, or inflammatory words, which in a modern context includes nationalist hate speech and media provocation.

• Compassion (karuṇā) and loving‑kindness (mettā): Extending concern beyond one’s own nation or group, recognising the common wish for safety and happiness.

• Understanding causes and conditions: Seeing conflict as the result of ignorance, fear, attachment, and past actions, not as something fated or inherent in any people.

From a Buddhist perspective, “victory” in war is hollow if it deepens hatred and creates conditions for future suffering. True strength lies in finding ways to de‑escalate, negotiate, and address underlying causes of mistrust.

How Buddhist statues embody peace

A Buddhist statue is not just a decorative object; it is a visual teaching. Common elements found in Thai and Cambodian Buddha images include:

• Serene facial expression: Downcast eyes and a gentle smile suggest inner calm and non‑reactivity, even in the face of provocation.

• Meditation posture: Hands in Dhyāna mudra (resting in the lap) or the earth‑touching gesture of enlightenment show steadiness and clarity rather than impulse.

• Abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness): A raised open hand symbolises non‑aggression, reassurance, and protection without violence.

When people in a region share similar images of the Buddha, they also share a silent reminder that their deepest values are not about conquest, but about awakening, compassion, and restraint.

Shared Buddhist heritage as a bridge

Because both Thailand and Cambodia are majority Theravāda Buddhist countries, they share:

• The same core scriptures (Tipiṭaka) and monastic code

• Similar ritual forms and meditation practices

• Parallel artistic languages in their religious sculpture

This common ground can function as a bridge:

• Monks and nuns can act as moral voices calling for de‑escalation and non‑violence.

• Temples and statues can serve as neutral spaces for dialogue, remembrance ceremonies, and joint acts of merit dedicated to all victims of conflict.

• Shared pilgrimage sites can remind people that spiritual identity is deeper than national boundaries.

Lessons for a troubled world

Even beyond Southeast Asia, the example of Buddhist teachings and imagery offers several universal lessons:

• Peace is not passive: it requires courage to step back from retaliation and to listen deeply.

• Seeing the “other” as fully human, with fears and hopes like one’s own, is a direct antidote to dehumanisation.

• Symbols matter: a statue that embodies serenity and compassion can gently influence how people think, speak, and act.

In a world where conflict often dominates headlines, the quiet presence of a Buddha image—eyes half‑closed, body relaxed, hand raised in reassurance—whispers a different possibility: that understanding is stronger than anger, and that genuine security is built on mutual respect rather than fear.