Pchum Ben is the most important and biggest festival in the Khmer religious calendar which is annually held on the waxing moon days during the tenth month of the Khmer calendar, called Pheaktrobotr.
The first 14 days of Pheaktrobotr are called Kan Ben. The 15th day is called Brochum Ben or Pchum Ben Day. Actually, the word 'Ben' in Khmer means to collect; 'Ben' also means to cup or mould cooked rice into portions. The word 'Phchum' means to congregate or to meet together. That’s why Cambodians traditionally come to their relatives to held Pchum Ben Day together.
During Kan Ben, Cambodians go to as many pagodas as possible to take turns offering food, desserts and other traditional cakes to the monks in hope that their offerings will reach the souls of their ancestors by virtue of the monks’ sermons. Actually, Pchum Bencontains three main purposes which are to pay respects and commemorations to their deceased relatives of up to 7 generations, to share and gain happiness from their merits as well as to strengthen the national solidarity and face value which all Cambodian citizens consistently follow and practice together.
Actually, there are different scriptures relating to the festival. One involves the five Budd has negotiating with hungry ghosts. Another scripture says that in the waxing moon days of Pheaktrobotr each year, the devil releases the ghosts to find their relatives to receive food. Then, everyone goes to the pagoda. When the living relatives offer the food to the spirit, the spirit will bless them with happiness.
The first 14 days of Pheaktrobotr are called Kan Ben. The 15th day is called Brochum Ben or Pchum Ben Day. Actually, the word 'Ben' in Khmer means to collect; 'Ben' also means to cup or mould cooked rice into portions. The word 'Phchum' means to congregate or to meet together. That’s why Cambodians traditionally come to their relatives to held Pchum Ben Day together.
During Kan Ben, Cambodians go to as many pagodas as possible to take turns offering food, desserts and other traditional cakes to the monks in hope that their offerings will reach the souls of their ancestors by virtue of the monks’ sermons. Actually, Pchum Bencontains three main purposes which are to pay respects and commemorations to their deceased relatives of up to 7 generations, to share and gain happiness from their merits as well as to strengthen the national solidarity and face value which all Cambodian citizens consistently follow and practice together.
Actually, there are different scriptures relating to the festival. One involves the five Budd has negotiating with hungry ghosts. Another scripture says that in the waxing moon days of Pheaktrobotr each year, the devil releases the ghosts to find their relatives to receive food. Then, everyone goes to the pagoda. When the living relatives offer the food to the spirit, the spirit will bless them with happiness.
Otherwise, wondering spirits will go to look in seven different pagodas and if those spirits cannot find their living relatives' offering in any of those pagodas, they will curse them.
Anyway, another additional traditional way to offer food to ghosts in Pchum Ben is bay ben (balls of rice) which is offered to ghosts at dawn. So, some Cambodians get up very early in the morning to bring bay ben to their local pagoda. People believe ghosts with heavy sins cannot receive food during the day. Bay ben is made from sticky rice and sesame. Sometimes people add coconut cream to make it more delicious. Bay ben is normally put on plates orvessels around Buddhist temple in the pagoda where the ghosts can come and eat.We would like to wish everyone a great Pchum Ben Festival from our staff and company.
Anyway, another additional traditional way to offer food to ghosts in Pchum Ben is bay ben (balls of rice) which is offered to ghosts at dawn. So, some Cambodians get up very early in the morning to bring bay ben to their local pagoda. People believe ghosts with heavy sins cannot receive food during the day. Bay ben is made from sticky rice and sesame. Sometimes people add coconut cream to make it more delicious. Bay ben is normally put on plates orvessels around Buddhist temple in the pagoda where the ghosts can come and eat.We would like to wish everyone a great Pchum Ben Festival from our staff and company.
