Buddhism in Cambodia or Khmer Buddhism has existed since at least the 5th century. In its earliest form it was a type of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Today, the predominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism. It is enshrined in the Cambodian constitution as the official religion of the country. Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century. As of 2019 it was estimated that 97. 1 percent of the population are Buddhists.
Monks and nuns praying in a pagoda near Phnom Penh
Wat Preah Chedey Borapaut
Cambodian statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Sandstone, 7th century CE.
Life of Guatama Buddha painting. Cambodia. 18th century. Toulon Asian Art Museum.
A state religion is a religion or creed officially endorsed by a sovereign state. A state with an official religion, while not a secular state, is not necessarily a theocracy. State religions are official or government-sanctioned establishments of a religion, but the state does not need to be under the control of the clergy, nor is the state-sanctioned religion necessarily under the control of the state.
Westminster Abbey is responsible directly to the British monarch. The Church of England is the established church in England.