Blessings from the Ancestors

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newkidontheblock
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Blessings from the Ancestors

Post by newkidontheblock »

Since I missed going back to the village on Pchum Ben, the family arranged a ceremony to receive blessing from the Ancestors for good luck. Described as a small family affair.

But when a foreigner is involved, small gets thrown out.

Got thrown right into it just after arriving at the village. Told to hurry up and change.

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Such a small intimate ceremony that required village security.

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A ear killing (100+ decibel output) Khmer sound system for the party at night.

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And 12 tables for all the guests.

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Along with mass food production to feed all the guests.

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And fortunately a small table set up for guests to donate to help recoup some of the costs.

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The guests were generous. Their donations paid about 35-35% of the total costs.

The main focus of the blessing was the chanting by the Buddhist monks.

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And the faithful.

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Not one temple of monks, but three temple of monks were required for the prayers to reach the ancestors. Plus the head monk, a famous (expensive) local celebrity.

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Chanting stopped at night, for another day’s chanting the next morning.

Was suddenly told by missus to get dressed up and leave the bunker. Turns out, I walked into a surprise anniversary party. All arranged by missus.

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I got a bouquet of flowers, and she got a fancy formal necklace.

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Then dancing with brain skull pounding music commenced.

The next day, the monks and faithful arrived for chanting around 4:30 AM and continued for the next 2 hours before stopping for breakfast.

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After breakfast came the ghostly blessing by the monks. They hold a white sheet on end, and the family get covered by the power of the spirits.

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Finally came the offering of rice to the monks.

After all the other offerings throughout the ceremony.

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We thanked each guest for their donation of rice to the monks by giving them a krama and 5000 Riel.

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Me, afterwards.

(Images of tired little girl sleeping on the monk prayer stage. Sorry I hit my limit of photo uploads for the month)

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John Bingham
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Re: Blessings from the Ancestors

Post by John Bingham »

What's the point? The gates of hell closed nearly two months ago. :evil:
Silence, exile, and cunning.
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Clutch Cargo
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Re: Blessings from the Ancestors

Post by Clutch Cargo »

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