The article on Khmer New Year History part three continues from part one, which talks about the reason for celebrating the Khmer year and the names of goddesses who are the seven daughters of Kabel Moha Brahma, and part two makes more detail of traditions during celebrating the new year. Then hope you enjoy this continued article by focuses on the meaning of sand stupa, and the merit or consequence of practicing the traditional activities during the Khmer New Year. Please read the full article below.
What is SAND STUPA?
Sand Stupa, the simple word is called “sand hill” in the Khmer New Year. This mound is made of pure sand, poured in the middle of a designated courtyard, and people pile up in the shape of a stupa facing east called Vealoka Chaydei (Sand Stupa). Represents the Chulamni stupa built to bury the head and chin of the Buddha. This mound is now popular in some areas, mounding rice and the Buddhists mound the rich or sand in the dining hall or in the temple as well.
The sandhills that people pile up are not limited to small, high, or low, but they are built according to the satisfaction of the builder. But there needs to be a mountain in the middle and four small hills around in all four directions. Around the hills, there is a royal fence (Reach Vatt) decorated with coconut leaves, shaped as square around the hills, with doors in all four directions. Around the royal fence, there are deity’s altar in all eight directions.
On each devas’ altar, a pair of Slarthoi (Sections of a banana leaf stem or green banana fitted with a stand and decorated, with betel leaves, areca nuts, and flowers), a pair of Baysei (Section of a banana tree trunk with legs to which 1 layer of banana leaves rolled up in finger shape have been attached), five Candles, five incense sticks, flowers, and lighting or burning candles and incense to offer or pray.
In front of the sand stupa, outside the royal fence, three other large pavilions (altars) are prepared for offering to the Yum Reach (the Guardian of Hell and judge of the dead) the middle pavilion, on the left is the Yumreach’s altar is the altar for praying the Buddha, and on the right is the deity’s altar for praying to Lord Vishnu (Lord Narayana) of the three great deities. These three large altars are arranged in the same way as the devas’ altar, but Baysei build up to nine stories or layers high, and there are clothes on the left and the right, and there are also offerings the alcohol for the gods. The constructions of these sand stupas determine that the builders will receive a very special merit or get a good result in their life, the same as appears in the story “Merit of Sand Stupa”, a Mahasamkar Sutra.
MERIT OR CONSEQUENCE
Merit of Give Water to Parents and Monks
The Buddha reveals that you will get merits when you offer food clothes, water to people, and other materials, and do some social activities on the occasion of the end of the old year and the new coming year i.e. during the Khmer New Year.
For people who give water to their parents, teachers, abbots, or monks on the occasion of Sankranti or Khmer New Year, the Buddha’s consequences are below:
- They are the kings of the earth.
- A consequence of having great power in their life.
- They will get seven precious possessions.
- Beautiful women are surrounding them.
- They have many bodyguards, and
- Merit is happy all the time.
The results of giving the water to the monks are:
- No matter where you are born on the planet or the earth, you always have a beautiful and clear image of the people.
- You will be an admirable person.
- The consequence of having sharp wisdom and bravery.
- You will be the supporter of the Sutras and the Vinaya (disciplines).
- To become the supporter and finisher of the Buddha’s Tripitaka (three baskets of Buddha’s books),
- Have the longest-lived of all nations.
- You will have a wife, son, or daughter, and relatives are wise people and noble.
Merit of Release Animals During Khmer New Year
The merit or consequence of releasing animals, such as chickens, bantengs, birds, fishes, turtles, etc., in Khmer New Year such as follows:
- You will get more power because of releasing the beast.
- Will have the long-lived constantly.
- you will be more prosperous in life.
- you will get free from diseases and persecution from others.
These are the many merit and good results of the New Year. Therefore, on the occasion of the Khmer New Year, people always release animals and celebrate various festivals in order to receive those benefits.
Waiting for the Next Article on Khmer New Year History
For continuing to read the Khmer New Year history, please click here Khmer New Year History Part 4. Due to the Khmer New Year History being a long article, thus we would like to separate the article into many parts.
The next article will illustrate in more detail the merit, consequence, or good result of constructing the sand stupa in the Khmer New Year.
Read more articles here:
- Khmer New Year History (Part 1)
- Khmer New Year History (Part 2)
- What Is Financial Instruments?
- China’s central bank warns of financial risks
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? – KHMER CLOTHING STYLE
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Thanks for reading this article, if you have any questions, doubts, or discussions please drop your comments in the comment box below.
The release of animals and the belief that by the power of releasing the beast you will enjoy a long and prosperous life without hardships and evil works of others, free from disease; indicates favor given for freedom. In today’s world with so many restrictions on people’s freedoms blamed on covid; I wonder how many humans dream of being set free as these animals. Governments need to carefully consider, as a consequence of their actions, people feel oppressed and caged. With the freedom given again; will the governments of the world prosper and avoid persecution? Would this hold true in this tradition?
This is the custom and traditional believe of my people. The actions likely no result but the impact of the mindset of the people.
Hello. This is a very interesting history of a nation. I’ve learned a lot through this blog of yours that I’ve never heard before. I would like our children and future generations to be more interested in the culture and traditions of other nations, as they lived before and as they do now in some nations.
Thanks sister is a good tradition and the oldest nation’s culture in the world. I am very appreciated with your comment and hope one day you brink your family to visit Cambodia.