36 died in accidents during Pchum Ben

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A report indicated that, during the recent Pchum Ben festival, 36 people died in accidents all over the country. Keo Savin, director of the land transportation department of the Ministry of Public Works, told Rasmei Kampuchea that, based on reports received from traffic police of the Ministry of Interior, during the Pchum Ben period lasting between 09 and 14 October, in the entire country, 213 accidents took place, causing 36 dead, 151 seriously injured, and 259 slightly injured. In comparison to 2006, the number of accidents has decreased. In 2006, during the 3-day festival celebration, 123 accidents occurred and 23 people died, i.e. about 7 dead per day in average. However, during the 6-day of the 2007 festival period, the rate of daily fatalities is about 6 persons. The provinces ranking in terms of accidents are: Kandal 33, Kampot 22, Takeo 20, Phnom Penh 17, and the number of fatalities is highest in the province of Battambang and Svay Rieng.

Pchum Ben festival celebration

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. (CAMBODIA) 11 Sep 2006 REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Dear KI-Media Readers,

Due to the Pchum Ben festival, the amount of information posted will be reduced, but not stopped, starting from today until 15 October.

Our team would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy celebration with your family, friends, and relatives.


May Lord Buddha bless you all!

Sincerely,

KI-Media team

Festival of the Dead Brings People, Monks Together

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington
11 October 2007

On the final day of Cambodia's festival to honor the dead, Pchum Ben, many laymen traveled to temples to offer gifts to monks and the spirits of their ancestors, whom they believe seek the temples this time of year.

Of all the Cambodian festivals, Pchum Ben brings the most people in contact with monks, as they bring offerings to the pagodas to honor the dead.

This year has been a hard year for monks, for Cambodia and its Buddhist neighbor, Burma. At least one monk has been murdered in Cambodia, and Tim Sakhorn was defrocked and imprisoned in Vietnam for allegedly stirring foment between the two countries and for crossing between them illegally.

Venerable Hok Savann, a leading monk in Canada, said laymen can make prayers for the monks of Burma. Whether an evil spirit will receive merit depends on the compassion of those who pray.

Hok Savann encouraged Cambodians to respect Buddhist traditions and reminded them to stay involved in a deeper spiritual life.

Buddhism can be practiced even by the young, he said, as a guest on "Hello VOA."

Pchum Ben developed between 897 AD to 910 AD. During the festival, monks chant, warning against the destructors of the spirit: gambling, adultery, sloth, disrespect of elders, coveting.

Hok Savann did not speak of Tim Sakhorn specifically, but said in Buddhism human rights are very clear. Buddha said don't kill, don't hate, don't be angry. These are fundamental, he said.

Pchum Ben in Kampong Speu

A Cambodian man prepares lunch for Buddhists monks at a temple in Kampong Speu province, west of Phnom Penh, during the last day of the Pchum Ben festival, October 11, 2007. Cambodians celebrate the annual Pchum Ben festival in memory of their dead relatives and ancestors. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea