Last Friday, September 24th marked the start of the Khmer holiday Pchum Ben which lasts 2 weeks and will end on October 10th. It is a Buddhist holiday that Cambodians believe is a time when the spirits of their dead ancestors walk the Earth. Cambodians spend the early mornings cooking meals for the monks, and bringing offerings to the temple hoping that the ghosts of their ancestors will receive their offerings and ease their sufferings.
According to Buddhist beliefs, the lives that we live, after death, are predicated by the actions that we took when we were living. Small sins would be given small punishments, while more severe sins would be punished more harshly. In celebrating Pchum Ben, Cambodians believe that these offerings made during the festival are to cancel out past sins.
This belief leaves no room for grace, the foundation that our eternal life stands on.
This belief leaves no room for freedom, the foundation that our hearts and minds find rest in.
This belief leaves no room for our burdens to be taken, the foundation where we seek comfort.
This belief leaves no room for Jesus as our Savior, the foundation that our purpose is found in.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. -- Ephesians 2:8
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -- 2 Corinthians 3:17
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -- Galations 5:1
According to Buddhist beliefs, the lives that we live, after death, are predicated by the actions that we took when we were living. Small sins would be given small punishments, while more severe sins would be punished more harshly. In celebrating Pchum Ben, Cambodians believe that these offerings made during the festival are to cancel out past sins.
This belief leaves no room for grace, the foundation that our eternal life stands on.
This belief leaves no room for freedom, the foundation that our hearts and minds find rest in.
This belief leaves no room for our burdens to be taken, the foundation where we seek comfort.
This belief leaves no room for Jesus as our Savior, the foundation that our purpose is found in.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. -- Ephesians 2:8
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -- 2 Corinthians 3:17
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -- Galations 5:1
No comments:
Post a Comment