គោលបំណងនៃពិធីបុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ

Purposes of the Pchum Ben Festival


Cambodian people celebrate the Pchum Ben Festival in September every year for 15 days from the first day of the tenth month of the Lunar Calendar​ during which the moon is waning to the fifteenth day of this same month for three main reasons. The first reason is that people help support Buddhist monks with food and drinks because during this time it rains a lot, many roads are muddy or underwater, and it is cloudy and wet which makes it difficult for monks to beg for food in the village.​ The second reason is the time when people can meet and do good deeds by providing food, clothes, drinks, and other things to old ladies and men and to poor people or somebodies who are suffering. It is a very good action to help each other in need and the celebration shows the harmony and helpfulness of Khmer citizens. And the third reason people believe that they can dedicate their good deeds to their ancestors who passed away. During the fourteen days of the festival, each family takes turns making food and prepares drinks, fruits, candies or cakes, and flowers for the pagoda to offer​​ to monks and the monks help dedicate these good deeds to those people's ancestors, but they meet together in a pagoda on the last day - the Pchum Ben day. Buddhists also prepare the four requisites of the Buddhist monk​ and give old people in the village, their relatives, or someone who is suffering, especially old people who regularly live their lives with good behaviors or always follow the Buddha’s teaching.  To conclude, Pchum Ben is one of the traditional festivals which Cambodian people celebrate to pray for their good deeds to ancestors, show their relationship and sensations as well as make begging for food of monks easy​ during the rainy season.