Every year in Cambodia, during the month of Potrbotr, a ceremony takes place called Pchum Ben. It begins with Kan Ben on the first day of the month, and ends with Pchum Ben on the 15th of the month. During this two-week period, Cambodians who are Buddhist go to pagodas to give offerings to those who have passed away. During Pchum Ben, very early in the mornings, people cook rice and, in the palm of their hands, form rice balls called Bay Ben. Before dawn, they bring these Bay Ben, along with other offerings, to the pagoda.
There, they take part in a ceremony performed by the Monks at the Vihira to convene the "souls" of the deceased. At a certain point in the ceremony, the participants circle the Vihira three times, scattering the Bay Ben onto the ground. After the procession, some of the people return inside and join the monks' chanting. Others remain outdoors in the temple compound, lighting incense and placing rice balls and other offerings to the prett (the damned), the deceased who have no neighbors, friends or families to commemorate them, and to those whose families cannot attend.