Pchum Ben Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in Cambodia. It is a time for people to remember and honor the spirits of their ancestors and relatives who have passed away.
In the time of the Buddha, there were no words like Kan Ben or Pchum Ben. Back then, people only practiced what was called Pavarana បវារណាបច្ច័យ៤(a kind of preparation for offerings). Over time, Buddhists in Cambodia have kept this tradition alive.
The festival has two parts:
1- From the 1st day of the waning moon until the 14th day, people bring food to different pagodas every day.
2- On the 15th day, which is the main day, people gather together to celebrate Pchum Ben.
Today, these two parts are combined and referred to as the Pchum Ben Festival.
The festival has three main meanings:
1- To dedicate good deeds to the spirits of ancestors and relatives from seven generations who have passed away, no matter where they were reborn.
2- To wish for happiness and good fortune through one’s own generosity.
3- To build unity in society, because everyone in the country joins together at the same time with the same offerings, especially Bay Ben (sticky rice balls) and Ansom (Khmer traditional cakes).
Similar Festivals
Pchum Ben is a special and unique tradition in Cambodia, but other countries have similar celebrations. In Sri Lanka, people also make offerings to the dead. In Taiwan, there is the Ghost Festival, which is linked to the belief of opening the gates of hell so that spirits can receive offerings.
How to make Ansom (Cambodian Traditional Cakes)
Pchum Ben Festival in My Hometown
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