Let us set aside conflict and explore the tradition of *Bao Bay Ben* (the offering of rice balls) at Angkor

 Let us set aside conflict and explore the tradition of *Bao Bay Ben* (the offering of rice balls) at Angkor.

The term *Bao Bay Ben* does not refer to the printing of laws; rather, it involves the offering of sticky rice—symbolizing the physical body—to the spirits of the deceased, facilitating their return to the cycle of rebirth. According to Khmer tradition, a human being consists of two essential elements: *Nama* (mind/consciousness) and *Rupa* (physical body). Upon death, the physical body perishes, leaving only the consciousness. To enable the deceased to return, the mind and body must be reunited; thus, Khmer people are encouraged to observe the *Bao Bay Ben* ceremony during the *Chum Ben* (Pchum Ben) festival period.

This practice aligns with the Mahayana *Kāraṇḍavyūha* tradition—associated with the era of King Jayavarman V—and reflects the compassionate spirit of Avalokitesvara (often referred to in this context as *Surya Sangkroh Cheat* or the "Sun-like Savior of the Nation").  The former Khmer King—associated with the *Kāraṇḍavyūha* (a Mahayana text)—was deeply moved by the suffering of those who had perished during the Champa army's bloody invasion of the Angkor capital. He empathized with the anguish of families separated from their loved ones—soldiers who had sacrificed their lives and died without anyone knowing the fate of their souls, or who were feared to have been reborn as tormented *pretas* (hungry ghosts). Invoking the power described in the *Kāraṇḍavyūha* scripture, the King sought to liberate these spirits from their suffering. An image representing this act of deliverance was subsequently enshrined at the stone gateway of a temple in Siem Reap province.  Religious authorities have identified a ritual practice—the *Bao Bay Ben* (offering of rice balls)—established by Khmer ancestors and observed to this day, as a rite rooted in ancient tradition.

According to inscription K. 279, this practice is associated with a Brahmanic ritual—referred to in Sanskrit as a "wine-drinking ceremony"—which served as the initial stage of the *Bao Bay Ben* ritual. It was intended for the deceased who had been reborn as *Pretas* (hungry ghosts), allowing them to transition toward a new rebirth.

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# PchumBen # KhmerTradition