Journal of Advances in Education and Philosophy (JAEP)
Volume-9 | Issue-03 | 132-137
Review Article
The Image of Neak Ta in the Thinking and Lifestyle of the Southern Khmer Community in Vietnam
Nguyen Van Thanh
Published : March 15, 2025
Abstract
In the development process of humans and human society, accompanying factors such as economics, politics and culture are the factors of spiritual life, belief and religion. Particularly, it is believed that thinking and lifestyle are the two fundamental components that best capture the evolution of human existence and progress throughout any nation's history. Likewise, for the Southern Khmer community in Vietnam, during the process of settlement and long-term survival in the new land, the thinking and lifestyle of the Khmer community are always influenced by foreign influences. Many different factors to form a community with diverse but profound lifestyles and ways of existence to be able to stand and live for a long time for centuries in the South. Belief and religion are regarded as the two main factors in that significant impact of living circumstances, directly impacting the way the Khmer community thinks and lives as spiritual therapy. Assists in resolving issues and ideas that people are unable to resolve on their own as well as life's challenges. To be able to maintain long-term survival, the Southern Khmer community in Vietnam relies on gods and placing full trust in the gods to ask for salvation and protection from the strong impact of climate change natural event. Among them, the image of Neak Ta is mentioned in the entire way of living in the community, having a significant influence on the thinking and lifestyle of the Khmer people during the process of settlement and gathering long-term in the Southern region.