Monks at work and play - in Laos

Laos, like any other far eastern country, has many Buddhist monks as Buddhism is the official religion even though here, it’s a communist country – remember the Pathet Lao and the war a few decades ago??  The communism is not blatantly visible and basically, it’s like Vietnam, a very pleasant country which still retains its French influence – street names are in French and Lao.

Buddhism is part of the culture and most males will undergo a few months or years as a monk – part religion, part self discipline and partly, especially for the poor, a way for the child to be educated and to be well looked after by the monastery.

We were very fortunate as we saw two unique events – a building coming up from scratch in Wat Xien Thuang and a Buddha Washing ceremony at Wat Mai.

We went in to the courtyard which had a large tent; and were enchanted seeing a religious ceremony in full flow. The crowds were pouring in, each family or couple, in their best clothes, with a silver coloured bowl containing water and a few frangipani or champa flowers in it. They queued up on two sides on a platform up a few steps. From that height, they poured their bowl of water into a golden coloured “pipe” which was carved with dragon shapes. This water rolled down onto a glass encased statue of the Buddha – thus washing him. Priests chanted payers on the side. 

I don’t know the meaning of this ceremony but they came out feeling fulfilled and happy. time – what a different feeling. It was totally empty. The whole place had been totally cleaned up. It seems this ceremony is held on three days only per year.   

We saw the inside of the Wat with its beautiful Buddha statue and yet again a large golden mural depicting scenes from life.

This was the first temple we visited on our morning sightseeing tour. The main building has an impressive gold frontage. Inside there is a large carriage type structure used so I am told to carry funeral urns of Lao royalty. At the back there are Buddha images. 






We were very lucky as we saw the monks constructing a building right in the central courtyard. They had already got a skeletal metal frame fitted. When we reached they were in the process of raising the triangular roof which was worth seeing in itself. They took nearly an hour as it had to be carefully lifted and placed in its slot. Of course Health and Safety as defined in Europe plays no part here. 

The monks clambered up and down without helmets or rigging. There were monks painting parts of the golden framework. Others helping elsewhere. Teamwork at its best. 

At the back of the second building is the Tree of Life which I felt was okay. Nothing great. I rather liked the collage or mural made of various inlaid stones – showing aspects of life. A similar scene on a much grander scale is in the national museum ceiling. 
It’s an interesting Wat and well worth seeing

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