P’chum Ben

We are in Phnom Penh for a week off due to the National Religious Holiday called P’chum Ben. It is the most important Buddhist holiday for the entire year. The entire country shuts down for the 10th thru the 12th of October and many others for a much longer time. There are actually 15 days of the entire celebration.
Anyone who is a Buddhist participates in this holiday even if he or she never goes to the pagoda any other time of the year. Most will return to their homes and go to the pagoda with their parents to offer sacrifices and offerings. My understanding, which is poor at best, is that the sacrifices are for the souls of recently departed loved ones. Their souls must be released from bondage in order that they might be reincarnated to their next life. Some others practice a more animistic version where the sacrifices are made to appease the spirits so they will not negatively affect theirs lives in the future.
For whatever reason, however, I am thankful for the break. My old back and several fingers and elbow were beginning to revolt from the repetitive nature of extracting teeth all day every day! Today I did nothing. Tomorrow I may do the same! rick