Beggars waiting to ask for some money on the first day of Pchum Ben festival at Langka Pagoda, Phnom Penh. According to Rasmei Kampuchea Daily, there are more beggars now than ever in the city. Many of them come from Prey Veng and Svay Rieng Province. The authorities have plans to move them out of sight soon. Source: Rasmei Kampuchea Daily, October 3-4, 2004
Believers are very generous during Pchum Ben21-09-2008
By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo in English
Click here to read the article in French
Is the festival of the death a lucrative business? This is certainly the hope of the poor who are begging in large numbers throughout the pagodas during this period.
Believers are very generous during Pchum BenWhile the ancestors, called “Brêts”, are authorised to return to Earth amongst the living, thanks to “Yama”, God of Death, the destitute people try to benefit from the believers’ generosity by visiting the pagodas in search of a few cents. Chouly, 63 years old and from Prey Veng province, settled in front of Wat Toul Tum Poung in Phnom Penh on the first day of Kan Ben, the ceremony preceding Pchum Ben.
“The faithful give me about 5000 riel per day, she explains, which allows me to feed my children.” A little further, Sina, 32 years old, says that the older ladies are the most generous ones. “They feel sorry for us, she says. And it’s true that for Buddhists, offering some money ensures a better situation in next life.” Some destitute people came with their children. They’re often the ones who look after the shoes of the believers at the entrance of the temples, which allows them to earn at least one hundred riel per pair. According to Kour Sopheap, deputy chief of the Koul Totoeung pagoda in Kandal province, beggars are considered as living “Brêts”. “During the festival of the death, says the monk, believers are more generous than usual.”
But it’s not all. In front of the pagodas, the poor sell incense, candles, cakes and also birds: all kinds of offerings used for ceremonies. “I’m poor, continues Sina. But I feel ashamed to beg, so I’m trying to do something else. This year I’m a money changer. For eight new notes of 100 riel, I can receive 1000 riel. It’s a business like any other, and it’s going well because the believers prefer to offer new notes to the pagoda. They believe that this will give them better karma.”
However, each year during Pchum Ben, the destitute come in larger numbers to the pagodas. An NGO member who wants to remain anonymous deplores that. According to him it’s a sign that Cambodia still is a poor country.
Believers are very generous during Pchum BenWhile the ancestors, called “Brêts”, are authorised to return to Earth amongst the living, thanks to “Yama”, God of Death, the destitute people try to benefit from the believers’ generosity by visiting the pagodas in search of a few cents. Chouly, 63 years old and from Prey Veng province, settled in front of Wat Toul Tum Poung in Phnom Penh on the first day of Kan Ben, the ceremony preceding Pchum Ben.
“The faithful give me about 5000 riel per day, she explains, which allows me to feed my children.” A little further, Sina, 32 years old, says that the older ladies are the most generous ones. “They feel sorry for us, she says. And it’s true that for Buddhists, offering some money ensures a better situation in next life.” Some destitute people came with their children. They’re often the ones who look after the shoes of the believers at the entrance of the temples, which allows them to earn at least one hundred riel per pair. According to Kour Sopheap, deputy chief of the Koul Totoeung pagoda in Kandal province, beggars are considered as living “Brêts”. “During the festival of the death, says the monk, believers are more generous than usual.”
But it’s not all. In front of the pagodas, the poor sell incense, candles, cakes and also birds: all kinds of offerings used for ceremonies. “I’m poor, continues Sina. But I feel ashamed to beg, so I’m trying to do something else. This year I’m a money changer. For eight new notes of 100 riel, I can receive 1000 riel. It’s a business like any other, and it’s going well because the believers prefer to offer new notes to the pagoda. They believe that this will give them better karma.”
However, each year during Pchum Ben, the destitute come in larger numbers to the pagodas. An NGO member who wants to remain anonymous deplores that. According to him it’s a sign that Cambodia still is a poor country.
5 comments:
Hun Sen should thank western people who care so much about human rights and the Khmer Rouge issues.
Khmer Rouge documentaries raised by the third party prove to be an even more effective tool to support CPP propaganda since 1979.
The West doesn't like to support anyone who rule for 29 years, but their coverage on Khmer Rouge issues give Hun Sen for at least another ten years to attract new voters. Before, only my grandparents and parents are CPP supporters. Now, my young brothers and sisters also thank CPP.
Khmer Rouge coverage show Cambodians that at least we are better than the Khmer Rouge and CPP is their god who saved them, which reinforce the 1st out of 8 CPP poster.
Before, Cambodians were not interested in Khmer Rouge. Even the most famous and successful movie maker E Vong Hem lost $30,000 for Khmer Rouge film in 2004.
This guy 2:09 PM really suck.
No brain...
Put one time... not everywhere...
CPP is infecting him...
Khmer Rouge is CPP right now...
By the way, the title should be read.
The poors are getting bigger !!!
Khmer Canadian
Maybe he can have that written in braille as well so the blind can read it as well. hahhahaa
He Kwack and uneducated too but he has the fucking shit PHD from the off spring of Ah Ho Chiminh motherfucker!pimpe of YOUN!
you know, one way to help the poors is to help cambodia to establish a welfare system and social security system like that in the USA. otherwise, this kind of begging or suffering won't disappear completely. this is what cambodia lack, a social system that help to assist the poors or the low-incomes, children, retirement, the elderly and the disabled. this will also help to lower corruption as people don't have to worry too much about their future with social security system because without this people are more concern for their own well-being, especially in the future as they are getting older. just look around, this is what cambodia needs as well in order to people its people. otherwise, the cycle of poverty won't stop. god bless cambodia.
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