Trai Bhet

[5] In 1899, French ethnographer Adhémard Leclère published a translation of two ancient works of Cambododian literature copied from Khmer manuscripts, namely the Preah Dhamma Chhean, and the Trai Bhet.

However, Leclère notes that under the influence of Singhalese monks and Khmer novices who travelled to Sri Lanka in order to learn Pali language, the Trai Bhet was set aside as non-canonical scripture.

This "triple science" of reciting hymns (Rigveda), performing sacrifices (Yajurveda), and chanting songs (Samaveda) however is totally different in content from the Trai Bhet, despite their titles sounding similar.

[5] In fact, the Trai Bhet describes an unorthodox cosmogony which may have been set aside as the Thommayut gradually purified the corpus of religious texts in Cambodia reining in on esoteric rituals and black magic.

[7] Myths and legends found in the Trai Bhet, such as the earth-goddess Phra Mae Thorani, still have a strong popularity in Khmer folk religion, especially through inclusions of some of its narratives in the Gatilok, despite having been ousted from the literary corpus.