Wat Phnom and Ice Cream

Clancy and I went had look at Wat Phnom and to join the Vespa Rally, which we found out was the next day. Anyway we had a look around and then went for Ice cream. Strawberry is the favorite at the moment. Wat Phnom is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373, it stands at 27 meters and is the tallest religious structure in the city. Built on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh after a great flood washed statues of Buddha downstream, it has since been renovated. There have been many additions to the original shrines over the centuries. The largest stupa houses the ashes of King Ponhea Yat and it is the center of city celebration for the Cambodian New Year, and Pchum Benh.

Royal Palace

This afternoon, after School, Clancy and I went to the Royal Palace for a look. It’s right there in the center of town and we have said for three months that we have to go and have a look. It was beautiful. We will go again and take more time to go through all the exhibits, that time Clancy will guide Anny around to all the things he saw on this first visit.

Pchum Ben Festival

Prachum Benda, more commonly known as Pchum Ben, is a Cambodian religious festival, culminating in celebrations on the 15th day of the tenth month in the Khmer Calendar. The day is a time when many Cambodians pay their respects to deceased relatives. People cook meals for monks, bring offerings to the temple and throw rice near the temple early in the morning, believing that the ghosts of their ancestors will receive it. Today Clancy’s class went to Wat Langka near the Independence monument on Sihanouk to give offerings to the monks. This Friday to Sunday is the holiday and most Cambodians will return to their villages to pay respects.

Clancy and Nam Fa gave offerings of Banana, Logan, Rambutan and Sugar to the seven monks. The head monk answered the class’s questions and I fielded a few more and some on the way home. Here’s a sample.

Clancy referring to the Statue he saw in the temple and the subsequent conversation:

Who is she? She is a he. He is Buddha. Is he dead? No, he achieved enlightenment and is everywhere in the space around us. What is enlightnenmennenem? He became a god. Do the Astronauts see him? No, but they feel his presence in all the good things. Does he cover around the Earth a little bit? OH look Clancy, there’s some more monks walking down the street!

(Ed. Note: Do not trust the factual quality of any responses to questions)

Video: Monks Blessing