From Temple to Campus: A Cambodian Monk's Journey in New Zealand

Staff Writer: Zixuan Wang
Image Source: Supplied

New Zealand is widely recognized for its diversity, attracting residents from around the globe. With various cultures come an array of rich and colorful religious traditions. Today, we delve into the story of a particularly unique group in New Zealand—monks.

A Monk Turns College Student

In the heart of Hamilton, it's not uncommon to spot a distinctive figure: dressed in saffron robes, donning a red hat, often with a black backpack or a few books in hand. This is the daily attire of Sina Marady, a monk from Cambodia who moved to New Zealand in 2012.

“Cambodian immigrants in Hamilton had built a temple near the city center and needed a monk to lead prayers and guide them towards spiritual enlightenment,” Marady explained. “One Cambodian immigrant sponsored me to come, and that’s how I made my home here.”

Not long after his arrival, Marady enrolled in English language courses at Wintec. “My language skills were quite basic, so I wanted to improve them while living here,” he said. After completing the language program, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in business.

When asked why he would choose to attend university, he responded, “Studying business has always been a personal goal of mine. It's something I've wanted to do because I have an interest in entrepreneurship. While it’s not my current job, it’s a hobby, and I’d like to complete these courses.” Marady added with a smile, “Plus, if I leave the monkhood, I might start a business and make lots of money!”

At school, Marady stands out wherever he goes, whether in the classroom or walking down the street. “People are curious about me, so they often strike up conversations. I’m quite outgoing, so I’ve made many friends,” he shared.

In his free time, he enjoys traveling and has already visited many scenic spots across New Zealand. “I love photography. Whenever I see someone with professional gear, I get a bit envious because it’s such a beautiful way to capture life,” he said. Reflecting on life in New Zealand, Marady added, “I prefer it here compared to Cambodia. The environment, the mountains, the culture—all of it is wonderful. Especially in Hamilton, people greet me on the street, something that never happened back home.”

In 2022, Marady graduated from Wintec, successfully earning his business degree.

Friends Describe Him as 'Sister'

Recently, Marady was interviewed by Tonga's national broadcasting service. Their staff described him as “a bit serious at first, but after a few minutes of conversation, he had us laughing. We even started calling each other ‘sister’ by the end.”

Marady’s classmate, Xiao K, remembers her first encounter with him. “I saw him on the first day of class. There weren’t many students around yet, but his bright orange monk robes caught my eye right away. He had a heavy accent, but he loved chatting with everyone and was especially active in class,” she said.

“His personality defied all my expectations of a monk. I thought they were supposed to be solemn and silent, but Marady would crack jokes and compliment good-looking classmates,” Xiao K recalled. “We taught him some Chinese, and he speaks it pretty well—much better than his English, in fact! During group projects, he would always step up to be the leader, organizing everyone. He even has WeChat and added all our classmates to a group chat.”

“As we got closer, we all started calling each other ‘sister.’ He’s very optimistic and has a great sense of humor,” she added. “One of our German classmates is fascinated by his story. They often chat, even though both struggle with English. I think he finds Marady’s life incredibly cool.”

“But we’re sure he has a different persona when working at the temple,” Xiao K noted.

A Life Dedicated to the Temple

Marady’s journey as a monk began when he was just 10 years old. “In 1997, my parents sent me to a temple in Cambodia. A senior monk there guided me on my spiritual path, and by the time I was 19, I had completed the formal monkhood ceremonies and started serving the community,” he recounted.

In Cambodia, it’s common for parents to encourage their children to become monks, as it’s considered an honor for the family. The community even holds celebratory processions when boys, usually between the ages of 5 and 10, are ordained. “In New Zealand, I call my temple the ‘Majesty Temple.’ The name in Cambodian also means something beautiful,” Marady explained.

He works with three other monks at the Hamilton temple. “There are four of us, and weekends are the busiest. During the week, I go to school or run errands in the city, while the others stay at the temple to clean or cook,” he said.

Despite the cold weather, the monks keep their robes on, only adding an extra coat when needed. “Our robes are our uniform,” Marady smiled.

The temple, which looks much like an ordinary house on a regular street, has four or five dormitory rooms for the monks, with a Buddha statue in the living room. “After we wake up, we light incense as part of our daily routine,” he said. On weekends and during Cambodian festivals, the temple fills with people bringing offerings or simply gathering to pray and socialize.

“We even have Kiwis visiting our temple,” Marady added proudly.

The busiest time of year is Cambodian New Year in April. People offer food, flowers, and candles to welcome the new year and gather for prayers and traditional games. “Cambodian temples have always been more than just a place for religious activities; they’re also cultural centers. Monks teach children literacy, hygiene, and more, which is why they are held in such high regard,” Marady said.

The Temple: A Home Away from Home

For Cambodian immigrants in New Zealand, the Hamilton temple is a reminder of home. “They built it because they missed their homeland and couldn’t gather together during festivals before,” Marady explained.

“Some people come to me with their troubles, and I act like a psychologist of sorts, helping to ease their worries,” he added.

The temple is not only Marady’s workplace but also his home. “When I’m here, I prepare for temple events, clean, and organize schedules. Of course, I also have homework to do, so you’ll often find me typing away on my laptop,” he said.

Although his life is dedicated to his faith, Marady is equally grateful for the opportunity to pursue his goals in New Zealand. “I’ve been here for 11 years, and I feel so accepted by the culture. I’ve found happiness and achieved some of my dreams here.”