Happy Year of the Dragon to C,L,T

[AznKhmerBoi]

Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand New Year's day, usually falls on April 13 or 14th, which is the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins. This is year is the year of the Dragon.

On New Year the people in Cambodia clean and decorate their houses and set up an altar to welcome this New Year spirit.





The people worship Lord Buddha by placing a statue of him on the altar and place flowers, candles, incense, food, drink, a bowl of scented water and banana leaves.

Maority of the businesses close for the week, People travel from near and far to meet with their families, visiting the temples and celebrations are widespread all over the country


Another place of gathering are at local Buddhist Pagoda.


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Entertainment

Shadow Puppet




Traditional Dance Shows

Khmer Apsara Dance



Monkey(Hanuman) Dance


Coconut Dance



Throwing Water/Powder



Normal Dancing ( This is where you go hunting for girls )




There are more Entertainment venues and games, but this is just a little of what are available.


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Others

Family gatherings are seen on the second day of the New Year. The people wish each other and exchange gifts on New Year. To say special prayers for their ancestors by the monks the people visit the monasteries on the second day of the New Year.



Washing the Buddha statues that the people in Cambodia worship for the New Year is another custom that the people in Cambodia follow. This custom is believed to ensure good rains in the coming year. Washing the feet of parents on New Year is a custom the children believe if followed will be a symbol of respect

[J T]

Those are some amazing photographs.

Do people really worship the Buddha there in a similar way to how Christians worship God and Christ? I've practiced Buddhism for several years, but in a Zendo in the West that traced its lineage back to Dogen Zenji, the man who brought Zen from China to Japan and is founder of the Soto Zen school of Buddhism. In that tradition, Buddha is not treated as a mystical or supernatural figure that would have control over things such as rain for crops. He was a man that was enlightened and shared his teachings, but was not a God or "higher power". I'm just curious. I've known Tibetan Buddhists that took a more mystical view of Buddha, but I've always thought of him as simply a pioneer, not a super being.