2003 Pchum Ben observance at Wat Willow in Long Beach, CA. Each family brings offerings of food, water, rice, and money to the monks to be blessed. The merit of the offerings is transmitted to the family’s ancestors through the monks.
2003 Pchum Ben ceremony at Wat Willow (Khemara Buddhikaram). A group of women have gathered to prepare special offerings. They are wearing white to indicate they have taken vows to follow 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. The orange, multicolored, and white “flags” on the silver platter are small versions of the much larger flags hung outside a house during a funeral.
2012 Pchum Ben observance at Wat Samaki in Long Beach, CA. Families bring food to the temple as an offering to the monks and their family’s ancestors. Family members place samples of food in small bowls for the monks and ancestors to enjoy.
2012 Pchum Ben observance at Wat Samaki in Long Beach, CA. Food brought to the temple for the ancestors is shared with the monks. A sample from everything brought by the families is placed on a table for the monks and ancestors to enjoy.
Cambodian New Year celebrations in Long Beach include performances of traditional dance and music. This man is dressed to perform with the Chhayam troupe. Chhayam is a lively call and response dance using primarily percussion instruments.
Two men prepare to perform Chhayam at a Khmer New Year celebration, a lively call and response dance performance using primarily percussion instruments.
