About the Event
The Boon Haw Khao Padabdinh Alms-Round features special offerings intended to benefit both monks and ancestors. Community members prepare traditional dishes—particularly those favored by deceased relatives—along with small balls of sticky rice (khao tom) wrapped in banana leaves. During the alms procession, participants make offerings to monks while mentally dedicating the merit to specific ancestors and all beings suffering in other realms. Following the alms-round, a special ceremony takes place where additional offerings are scattered on temple grounds, symbolically feeding hungry spirits who cannot receive food directly. Monks chant special protective verses and transfer merit to the deceased. The ceremony often includes the reading of names of departed loved ones and the pouring of lustral water while dedicating merit. The atmosphere combines solemnity with the comfort of community support during this time of remembering those who have passed.
Requirements
- Arrive by 09:00 AM with offerings prepared
- Dress in white or dark colors as is traditional for ceremonies honoring the deceased
- Bring traditional offerings: khao tom (sticky rice balls in banana leaves), favorite foods of ancestors, candles, incense, flowers
- Prepare a list of names of deceased family members for the merit dedication ceremony
- Women should place offerings in the monks' bowls without direct physical contact
- Bring photographs of deceased loved ones if desired for the memorial altar
- Maintain a respectful, contemplative demeanor throughout the ceremony
- Families are encouraged to share stories about ancestors with younger generations
- Be prepared to participate in the water-pouring merit dedication ritual
- Some may choose to observe eight precepts during this period
This deeply meaningful ceremony welcomes all community members to honor their ancestral connections while making merit that benefits both the living and the deceased. It provides a powerful opportunity for intergenerational healing and the transmission of cultural values regarding the importance of remembering and respecting those who came before us.
History of the Event
Boon Haw Khao Padabdinh (also spelled Pchum Ben in Cambodia or Sart Thai in Thailand) is an ancient Buddhist ceremony honoring ancestors that dates back over 1,500 years. The name translates roughly to "Merit Making and Food Offering to Ancestors Festival." This profound ceremony is based on the belief that during this period, the gates between the realms temporarily open, allowing ancestors and hungry ghosts to receive merit and offerings from their descendants. The tradition reflects core Buddhist teachings on karma, rebirth, and the importance of honoring those who came before us. In Lao Buddhist cosmology, this ceremony provides relief to ancestors who may be suffering in other realms and strengthens the spiritual connection between generations.