Thinking that Nyom
mesha might feel stressed: To your question,
Is there a Khmer forest tradition? , Upasaka
Moritz generously guided you here, my person has great doubt if it there is even anywhere else such still existing in the world althought there might be much benefit making from it.
Such had not really exist at Buddhas time. Of course it might be that such as a Ven.Kassapa appears from time to time and might have fellows. There is the Sangha of the Buddha and the ways of it's individuals are different, most use to say "have certain Nissaya to certain great disciple of the Buddha".
Given that Tudong practice is the most straight way it's possible clear why such disappears most fast and it's clear that those are left having Nissaya to more slow ways. Many are there with Nissaya to Ven. Ananda. And it's generally a very running out thing, this Holly Life possibility.
To answer if there are forest monks in Cambodia. The have been. As far as seen, heard and reasonable suspectable there are no more but of course my person could lack on Nissaya to meet of which you might have not, obiviously.
Other then suggested in your topic, it's not really because of the war. It's like everywhere else that they felt into the danger of becoming and gain. As soon as stepping aside of the Tudonga precepts, even if "out of compassion" it's not more far to lose the track if not really safe and the outwardly conditions, growing fences and the fact that there is actually not much space left with is not claimed by someone and increasing stinginess does not make it easier at large.
How ever, if one walks the way straight, follows the natural laws, it is always and everywhere possible for the individual and at least it is a very solitude way and not one which is open to many.
Two dwelling together like Devas, three is already like a Village and more a Hollabolla... as the Buddha told.
One may find forest dwelling monks but seldom in the sphere of Vinaya or aimed at Nibbana. Most are more after developing powers or serve certain brahmanic ways or others for the world or gain.
Out of the certain clear danger those ways are if not exclusivelly torward Nibbana and strikt in Vinaya, such dwelling is generally not really welcome by the authority and given that making merits to an real recluse give a lot of merits it, since those are open and welcoming in gain, also of economical interest and with it controlled.
If looking generally for Tudong monks or those walking on the path, like everywhere else, there are, and it's a matter of ones Upanissaya (strong condistions) and causes one gives to meet.
As shorthly explained to a former iddhi-practicing monk, if not ready to see one might assume there are no, but if knowing by oneself this kind, having gained by oneself the other ancestorshipp one ways and views are open and one will meet what is possible to meet.
"Accidently" my person met Ven. Santidhammo years ago while one a long journey. He was just a short time here to introduce a book he wrote. Inspired because knowing what is behind of the stories in "action" my person translated his book into German.
The Buddha of the Battlefield , out of lack of possibility my person could not manage to make a nice pdf in English, but one may find a text on his website (
http://www.ghosananda.org) devoted to his "teacher" as he says. It's btw. a sample that if one "greedy" searches for something, even if face to face of it one can not recognize, doing to ones preoccupations. How ever, he writes very nice cultural stories and made obiviously good, let my person say, scientific researches. This spheres around a famous monk, how ever, are better avoided since full of wordly interests an politic, gaing with it and not much on having possibility to meet something torward hardwood.
There are some maybe useful accounts given to Upasaka
maranadhammomhi , more in regard of doing, lesser to meet
here , also an audio. Connection today is not so good as well. So maybe again a little bit shorter.
If really interested, worthy to make a new topic out of it later.
In regard of Upasaka James acount in you topic, nice that he possible met a "different" but usually all just talk and wait on each other. Doer are rarely found in western cities... especially when they would have greater opportunities back. He might how ever great him.
It's generally not so good to count much on western (modern) mind reports. If wishing to really know it's like always in Dhamma a matter of giving and let go at first place in to "dive" into another world not really possible to one not knowing it.
Maybe you like to talk with Upasaka
Marcel , my person guesses one of very less "western" having been touched, as he
just returned (possible just once returner
) form his first exploing of another world, a "Land of Wonder" for those with lesser durst in the eyes and Nissaya.
Bhante
Indaññāno s preceptor was a forest monk from old times. He died some years ago solidute in the forests northeast of Siam Reap. As a very open and dhamma-interesed welcoming person an also not only best possible training and education but also own experiances, he might be "easer" to meet at "his" monastery
Bodhisattārama . He speaks a little english.
At least, don't go after the western/modern perception that an insider-monk must be one visible in meditation, as such is a very wrong idea. Look out for
those with right view and having appopted it in all ways.
Feel welcome to ask and explore here or where ever inspired and best dhammic greatings to the members of the DW Parisa and there generouse leader.