Cambodians pray in front of plates filled with fruits, incense and candle at a temple during ceremonies for Pchum Ben, or the festival of the dead, in Phnom Penh early September 11, 2006. Cambodians visit temples to make offerings for fifteen days in memory of their dead relatives and loved ones during the festival. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaTuesday, September 12, 2006
By UC
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by Heng Soy
Friday was the starting day for the Kan Ben period which will end in two weeks with the Pchum Ben festival celebration. During this time, Cambodian Buddhist faithful are paying respect to their departed ancestors (the “Pret”). Far from diminishing, the attraction to these religious festivities seems to be increasing, Noy Chhroeuk, one of the senior monks of the Chamkar Daung pagoda, Dangkao district, a suburb of Phnom Penh, claimed. At 4:00 AM, the 69 monks receive the delicate attention from not only the local residents but also from faithful people from other districts of Phnom Penh. “the contribution of people is very important to us, especially during the period of Pchum Ben where the monks no longer need to leave the pagoda to beg for their alms,” Monk Bunthoeun said with delight in seeing “more and more people interested” in the festival.
68-year-old Sam Em, a nun at the pagoda, is also surprised to see so many young people coming to the temple before sunrise to throw “Bay Ben” (rice thrown around stupas and viharas). “As they are well informed about the importance of ‘Bay Ben,’ they do not dare misbehave,” she replied to the faithful who accuse the adolescents of coming only for their pleasure. The nun admitted nevertheless that, in the morning, young people are not really there to give their offerings.
Religious leaders said they also noticed the increase of beggars and street children. “During this period, the faithful are spending their saving money without worries, and they are generous towards the beggars, considering them as ‘pret’ alive,” one monk stressed. Small sellers are also profiting from the generosity. This is the case of 43-year-old So Savy who sells birds during religious festivals: “Simple faithful people buy from me only a few birds, but rich people, especially, senior government officials, they sometimes buy the whole cage of birds, that is up to 100 birds!” Whether it is considered a religious or a commercial affair, this year’s Kan Ben is really a benediction.
68-year-old Sam Em, a nun at the pagoda, is also surprised to see so many young people coming to the temple before sunrise to throw “Bay Ben” (rice thrown around stupas and viharas). “As they are well informed about the importance of ‘Bay Ben,’ they do not dare misbehave,” she replied to the faithful who accuse the adolescents of coming only for their pleasure. The nun admitted nevertheless that, in the morning, young people are not really there to give their offerings.
Religious leaders said they also noticed the increase of beggars and street children. “During this period, the faithful are spending their saving money without worries, and they are generous towards the beggars, considering them as ‘pret’ alive,” one monk stressed. Small sellers are also profiting from the generosity. This is the case of 43-year-old So Savy who sells birds during religious festivals: “Simple faithful people buy from me only a few birds, but rich people, especially, senior government officials, they sometimes buy the whole cage of birds, that is up to 100 birds!” Whether it is considered a religious or a commercial affair, this year’s Kan Ben is really a benediction.
3 comments:
Once upon the time story and perhaps bed time story. It was told that a very poor lady had nothing to offer Buddha, except the flower, where the wealthiest devote a lot of gifts. From this scene, Buddha himself hinted to his disciples who was having purely dedicated heart and mind to the holiness?
You got that right brother! and i'm very proud to say we maintain our dignity and purity, because of our Holly Lord Buddha, Pchum Ben and our great great ancesters.
Sathook, sathook...(*bowing*)
09/12/06
AkinijaKhmer
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