Introduction to Hun Horm 

Hun Horm  (later known as Hun Kang) was born in 1924 in Phum Kbal Domrey on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  He went to live in a Buddhist temple, Wat Tangkrasaing Kharng Tbaung in Pochentong when he was only 8 years old.  He was ordained as a novice Buddhist monk at the age of 12 in 1936.  He soon showed an aptitude for chanting (in Khmer known as smot) and moved to the city of Phnom Penh so he could learn more. 

In Phnom Penh, he lived at Wat Svaydangkhum.  The abbot of the temple introduced him to Balat Un so he could learn chanting from a master.  Balat is an honorific used in Cambodia to indicate respect. 

Balat Un had been a monk when he was younger.  He was one of the best-known and most accomplished chanters in Cambodia at the time. He was then 60 years of age and lived by himself in a small house on stilts near the compound of Wat Sampov Meas.  His wife had died and his two children had grown up and left home.  He taught chanting to students who were sent to him from various temples around Phnom Penh. 

Hun Horm went to Balat Un’s house for lessons.  He also practiced chanting at home in the temple and on the way to and from Balat Un’s house. At Balat Un’s instruction, Hun tied a piece of pork fat on thread, swallowed it and then pulled it backwards and forwards. Balat Un believed this would improve the quality of his voice.  He also asked Hun to submerge himself under water to develop his lungs for chanting. 

Balat Un received so many requests from temples, villages and even from the royal palace to conduct chanting that he could not accept all of the invitations he received.  When he felt that Hun Horm was accomplished in chanting, he recommended him in his place. Hun Horm was then invited to chant in many villages and towns in the provinces near Khat Khandal province. 

Hun Horm came to Australia in 1983.  Although he suffered from severe emphysema (Ket Haet) as he grew older, he wanted to record his chanting about the “Life of Buddha” using an old tape recorder. As his flat was close to the road and under the flight pass, you can sometimes hear noise in the background.  

Hun Horm passed away in 2007 at the age of 83.


Smot Sak Khea by Hun Horm

Smot Pror Kas Tevada by Hun Horm

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