First Week of P’chumben

Nuns and women empower the community through their service and devotion. In Buddhism, this people group in particular plays a significant role–an inseparable role. Kudos! Elders and men do play a vital role the same. They usually work side by side with monks, if not for the temples in general. This is how they set as examples to their children, grandchildren, and so to the community in embracing such religion—a life with passion and complete devotion.

It is the first week of P’chumben, the longest celebration in the country as far as Buddhist observance is concerned—when nuns and elders, men and women swarm the temples to express their devotion. To emphasize, they also show their service to monks through feedings and giving money for three weeks. The celebration will last for another fifteen days and is anticipated by monks young and old. This time around you will hear the beats of drums at dawn and dusk. I am so immune to the sounds by now. The monks will also chant and exhort night and day using loud speakers for the whole community to hear. Above all this, every ceremony is graced with traditional food to offer to monks and to everyone joining the ceremony. And everyone enjoys the meal. This only the first week of P’chumben, the longest holiday in Buddhist calendar.