I have learned and known a lot of heroes since I first entered Pannasastra University of Cambodia in June 2009. This was the milestone time for me. The world that used to be as small as my home village becomes so big to me when I began my academic life. During four years of studies in my Bachelor degree, I have learned and witnessed my historic events and famous personality. I am so indulge with them. I love the way they work to get impossible thing be possible. Those great people are hero of the world, not just my personal hero. Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and living hero Aung San Suu Kyi are characteristically unique comparing to the rest.
Gandhi and Aung San Suu Kyi, in particular, share the same vision and mission. They both want independence and stable peace, and they have used the same method to reach this ended goal. They are pro-nonviolence; they claim for human rights and freedom from the oppressors by nonviolent mean. They did not violate others‟ rights and freedom. This peaceful behavior to even the enemy gives Gandhi and Suu Kyi such credit which makes outstanding from general public. It is logic and realistic that human rights must be respected but to gain this respect many activists had spoil the situation by using a wrong technique. Vietnamese anti-colonialism during 1940s to early 1950s was one the worse way of achieving freedom and independence. Vietnamese were fighting against the French in order to get full independence. They did complete their dream but it cost many of lives of man and woman.
The great people I have just discussed at the moment are the heroes of the world. They are regarded as heritage of humanity because they brought tremendous contribution to the whole world. They introduced effective way to succeed the obstacles, challenges, conflict or war by peaceful and sustainable mean. Now let me turn the page to heroes at local level. In Cambodia, historically, there are countless of great people. They sacrificed their lives and everything for the sake of entire Kingdom. King Jayavaraman II, for example, was the best and most respectful king till date. He, his fellow cabinets and the Angkorean had built a very powerful and bright Kingdom with greatest enlargement of territory, politics, economic, education, health, culture, infrastructure and many other people-oriented services. Ever seen, the Kingdom was in peace and harmony for decades before cruel of invasion of neighboring enemies – Siam and Annam. King Sihanouk, for another instance, was called the King Father of Independence. He is and will be the hero of all Cambodian generation to come. King Father Sihanouk did lots incredible works for Cambodia and the nation. One of the priceless achievements he brought to the nation was a “Full Independence” from the French Colony. In front of Cambodian public, King Sihanouk vowed that he will bring independence and peace to Cambodia within three years or he will resign if thing goes fail. Surprisingly, he did it. He turned Cambodian long dream comes true. That is why he is the country‟s hero and continues to be each and every Cambodian‟s generation hero. “I LOVE YOU, KING FATHER SIHANOUK.” MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!
Nonetheless, to meet the requirement of the class that is asking students to write one‟s own very personal hero I do have one hero that I always admire the most. It was 27th of May 2008 the day I met a respectful and virtuous person. Holding relatively unique characteristics from other famous people, this person really commits to her principle. Perhaps in the eyes of Cambodian public, she owes no significant. However, to the Buddhist community especially Buddhist monk in Preah Puth Mean Bun temple she is the leading woman in doing perfection of generosity. What makes her standing out of the crowded? And what is her philosophy that keeps her in her works for decades and counting? The following paper will detail to cast all of these doubtful questions.