Phchum Ben

Chhom Ben (or Pchum Ben) is an important traditional religious festival in Cambodia that honors deceased ancestors and loved ones. It is also known as the Festival of the Dead. Here’s a detailed overview of the event:

1. Timing:

• Chhom Ben takes place over 15 days during the 10th month of the Khmer lunar calendar, which usually falls in September or October in the Gregorian calendar.

• The most significant days are the last 3 days, known as Ben or Ben Pral, when Cambodians visit temples and perform ceremonies to make offerings to the spirits of their ancestors.

2. Significance:

• The festival is a way for the living to connect with the spirits of their deceased relatives. It is believed that the spirits of the dead, especially those who did not receive proper offerings during their lifetime, return to the world of the living during this period.

• It is believed that making offerings helps ancestors attain peace and good fortune in the afterlife.

3. Cultural and Religious Practices:

• Visiting Pagodas and Temples: During Chhom Ben, families visit Buddhist pagodas and temples to make offerings of food, incense, and other gifts to the monks, who then perform prayers and rituals to help send merit to the spirits of the deceased.

• Offerings (Ben): Cambodians offer food such as rice cakes, fruits, sweetmeats, and drinks to the monks or directly to the spirits of their ancestors. It’s believed that these offerings help ensure the spirits’ well-being in the afterlife.

• Ceremonies and Prayers: The monks perform religious ceremonies, including chanting Buddhist sutras, to help guide the souls of the dead and release them from suffering.

4. Social and Family Gatherings:

• The festival also involves family gatherings, where relatives come together to remember and honor their ancestors. It’s a time for reflection and bonding, with a focus on the importance of family and respect for the elderly.

5. Preparation:

• In the lead-up to Chhom Ben, families clean their homes and make offerings to their ancestors at altars or shrines in their homes. These preparations reflect the belief that cleanliness and good intentions will help the spirits of the dead receive the offerings with favor.

6. Beliefs:

• Spirit Liberation: One of the main beliefs during Chhom Ben is that the souls of the dead, particularly those who are hungry or lost, will be liberated if proper offerings are made. The final day of the festival, known as “Chhum Ben,” is seen as the day when the dead can receive the most merit.

• The festival also marks the end of a period of spiritual cleansing, with an emphasis on compassion, kindness, and family unity.

7. Public Holiday:

• Chhom Ben is a public holiday in Cambodia, and many people return to their hometowns to participate in the ceremonies and family gatherings. The festival is a mix of religious observance and cultural traditions.

8. Connection to Buddhism:

• While Chhom Ben is rooted in Buddhist practices, it also has influences from older animist traditions. Many of the rituals and beliefs reflect a deep respect for the spirits of the ancestors and the desire to maintain harmony between the living and the dead.