AKP Phnom Penh, September 13, 2024 — A most worshipped Buddhist monk has shared his insight on the pivotal celebration of the ‘Pchum Ben’ Festival, or the Festival for the Dead, that Cambodia will observe from Sept. 18 to Oct. 3.

Preah Meakthy Pheasa Nurak On Ol, deputy chief of monks at Sras Chak pagoda, told AKP that Pchum Ben’s customary essence lies in its role as a unifying force, reinforcing familial bonds and the shared heritage of the Khmer people.

It is a time when the past converges with the present, celebrating a legacy that has endured for generations and continues to shape the cultural identity of Cambodia, he said.

The festival is intended for people of all ages who are followers of Buddhism to pay homage to their ancestors, offering food and prayers to the spirits of the deceased.

He explained that the whole festival lasts 15 days. During the first 14 days, called Kan Ben, the villagers take turns to offer food to monks in their respective nearby pagodas in hope that the offerings will re
ach the souls of their ancestors by virtue of the Buddhist monk sermons.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse