As narrated by monks and wise men who stay in Wat Ampe Phnom, the story has it that: Long time ago, an old man named Am and his wife named Penh cam to live in this place, working in the field and tending goats. In front of the old couple's house was a stream and on one side of the house was a hill.
Later, an old knowledgeable hermit named So, who was traveling to find a place for meditation, arrived at the old couple's house. The hermit So was mesmerized by the scenery; crystal clear water in the stream, dense forest, and crops and fruit trees attentively and happily planted by the old couple. He excitedly said, ''This place is very suitable for me to practice meditation; the clear water is swimming with schools of fish, flocks of birds are in the air flying towards their peaceful shelter; Oh, serene forest, I will live with you."
After thorough contemplation, he decided to ask Ta Am and Yeay Penh for the place on the hill (the current temple) in order to build a hermitage. He said, "Oh, kind, old man and woman, I am very impressed with this place, please allow me to build a hermitage for meditation on the hill near your house. This place is very suitable for me to practice my precept."
Ta Am and Yeay Penh happily agreed to the request and gave their full support to Ta So. Ta Am spoke in delight, "Oh, hermit, I am delighted that you are impressed with this place and want to build a hermitage. The both of us, husband and wife, are happy to offer you this hill and we will help you build a hermitage. Please accept our generosity." Ta So replied, "Thank you for your kindness."
People heard about Ta So staying in the hermitage and came secretly to look at the hermitage where they saw a hermit practicing meditation on Ta Am and Yeay Penh's hill. These people spread the news to others so that they would come to worship and offer food to Ta So. A man said, "I have one thing to tell you all." An old woman asked, "What is it? Please speak quickly Antith (guy) Sam." Antith Sam replied, "There is a monk practicing his precept on the hill where Ta Am tends goats." Some people said, "We don't believe it." Another man who had gone to secretly look at the hermitage with Antith Sam said, "It is true. Brother Sam isn't lying. I saw it too."
Everyone promptly exclaimed, "If it is true, then let's go to worship him and ask for happiness." Another person said, "I will also take food to offer to him." Thereafter, people worshiped Ta So and regarded the hermitage as a sacred place for worship, sending their children to study with Ta So. Later on, the name of the hermitage was changed from "Ta Am Khveal Pope (goat shepherd)" to "Ampe Phnom", which has been its name until today.
Ampe Phnom is not only a religious temple where many Buddhist followers solemnly worship, but is also a beautiful natural tourist site divided by Stoeung Prek Thnot (Prek Thnot stream). The stream may be crossed from one bank to the other by way of a bamboo swing bridge. Ampe Phnom is located in Kompong Speu province, about 48 kilometers from Phn1;m Penh. We can arrive there by traveling along National Road NO. 4. Besides its natural beauty, Ampe Phnom has been decorated with statues, gardens, recreational places, and relaxation huts built along the bank of the stream, and is infused with a cheerful atmosphere.
Moreover, we can take elephant rides around the hillside that is covered with peaceful forest, and where many monkeys, big and small, live happily. Our author is very impressed with the narrations of monks and wise men covering the great history of Wat Ampe Phnom, and has recorded this history.
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