The head of the Cambodian Buddhist monks is giving his followers a little slack during the length of the World Cup. He will allow them to watch the games on the television but there may be no cheering or getting excited, and under no circumstances may anyone bet on any of the games. The countries holey men -- more than 90 percent of Cambodia's 13 million people are Buddhist – normally are not permitted to watch TV, movies or any artistic displays, but the supreme patriarch has decided to make this an exception because of the World Cup. "The monks can watch the games on TV but they may not bet on the games," said the patriarch. He also said there have been rumors that some of the priests are betting on the matches. The laws of the strictest tenets of Buddhism say the monks must refrain from any pleasurable activities. Gambling is outright forbidden with no exceptions. He has urged the monks that wish to watch the games not to cheer or screaming while they are watching the game, and that these are the acts of children and not holey men.
