Sraung Preah, a Buddhist ceremony of
purification by water, falls over Khmer New Year.
It's a
popular tradition over the holiday along with taking food to the pagoda and
playing games.
Nhean
Phoun, a consultant for the Ministry of Cult and Religion, noted that although
youth participation in the tradition remains strong, young Cambodians seem
confused over the meaning of the ceremony.
He said
that celebrating at the pagoda just ins't enough.
“Parents
are the one who give birth to and feed the child, so this celebration shows the
child's gratitude to the parent,” Nhean Phoun said.
To
promote an understanding of Sraung Preah, Nhean Phoun said, the Ministry of
Cult and Religion is trying to draw the attention of young Cambodians to the
ceremony.
Now,
the Ministry is disseminating information through national media and will be at
various pagodas to provide education on the ceremony.
“We are
trying to educate Cambodian youths about the Sraung Preah celebration” Nhean
Phoun said.
According
to ancient documents belong to the Puthisasanak Bondith, Sraung Preah began
when a king had his followers build a prayer hall on the riverfront in
reverence to Buddha. After receiving Buddha់'s blessings, the king asked Buddha what he
should do as a good deed for the New Year. Buddha replied that if children
purify their parents with water, then their name would be inscribed on a golden
scroll. The scroll would give them the merits of nobility.
And the
ceremony of Sraung Preah began.
Sraung
Preah is held on the third day of Khmer New Year - known as Thgay Leung Saka.
People believe that when they purify Buddha statues with water, they will
receive prosperity and dignity in return for the act. Children believe that if
they do the same to their parents, they will receive happiness, longevity and
good advice in return.
Chan
Sreymom, a third-year student at a fine arts school, said that although she
used to purify her grandmother with water during ceremony, she did not know the
meaning behind it.
“I just
imitated my parents,” she added.
Thong
Sothavrath, a fourth-year student at Preah Sisowath High School, said that
although she is unclear as to the meaning of Sraung Preah, she feels obligated
to purify her parents during the ceremony.
“If I
don't [purify] my parents, I will regret it for the rest of my life,” she said.
Sam
Khanda, a 48-year-old housewife, said that her family always carries out the
Sraung Preah ceremony. She believes that parents play a crucial role in guiding
their children's understanding of the ceremony, and that they must continue to
educate their children on Sraung Preah so it isn't lost.
“Some
youth practise the ceremony well and can fulfil their parents' hopes,” she
said, “while others are too mainstreamed by foreign culture and just do it for
fun... splashing water on each other.”
Sam
Khanda explained that during the ceremony, the children must kneel down and
press their hands together to show respect for their parents.
With
this act of humility, children express apologies for anything they may have
done wrong over the previous year.
Chakriya
Khiev and Samphoasphalyka Sok
The
Phnom Penh Post
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