Ara Agopian, Author at Historical Society of Long Beach

Monks chanting during Bun Kathin

During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a “tray” (pronounced trai). Pictured here are monks chanting over the new robes. — During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a tray (pronounced trai). Pictured here are monks chanting over the new robes.

Bun Kathin

During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a “tray” (pronounced trai). Women carry the new robes to the temple on their heads. — During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a tray (pronounced trai). Women carry the new robes to the temple on their heads.

Women carrying new robes for monks

During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a “tray” (pronounced trai). Women carry the new robes to the temple on their heads. — During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a tray (pronounced trai). Women carry the new robes to the temple on their heads.

Women carrying new robes to the temple for Bun Kathin

During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a “tray” (pronounced trai). Women carry the new robes to the temple on their heads. — During the rainy season in Cambodia, which last about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a tray (pronounced trai). Women carry the new robes to the temple on their heads.

Lay people bring monks new robes during Bun Kathin

During the rainy season in Cambodia, which lasts about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed trays and covered with a “tray” (pronounced trai). — During the rainy season in Cambodia, which lasts about three months, monks remain in the temple. At the end of the rains, lay people present the monks with new robes during a ceremony called Bun Kathin. The robes have been placed on trays and covered with a tray (pronounced trai).

Monks and local families at temple for Pchum Ben

2015 Pchum Ben ceremony at Wat Willow in Long Beach, CA. Each family presents their offerings to the monks to be blessed. The merit from the offerings is transmitted to the family's ancestors through the monks. In the foreground is an offering prepared by a group of women who are following the five Buddhist precepts for a period of time. The five precepts are: do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in sexual misconduct, do not lie, and do not drink intoxicants. — 2015 Pchum Ben ceremony at Wat Willow in Long Beach, CA. Each family presents their offerings to the monks to be blessed. The merit from the offerings is transmitted to the family’s ancestors through the monks. In the foreground is an offering prepared by a group of women who are following the five Buddhist precepts for a period of time. The five precepts are: do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in sexual misconduct, do not lie, and do not drink intoxicants.