Buddhist Alm Giving Ritual, Luang Prabhang (part 3)
24/12/2008 - Luang Prabhang is considered a holy city in Laos. Within the city, there are maybe some 30 wats (buddhist temples) and Luang Prabhang is not even big. According to ritual and tradtion, the monks living in the wats are not supposed to work and are supposed to live on the alms of other people. Every morning, there is a ritual in Luang Prabhang, where the monks leave from their wats and go around the streets of Luang Prabhang to collect alms.
They usually start walking down the streets at sunrise. So, I got up around 5:30a.m today to be able to go and be sure not to miss the alm giving ceremony. I showered and managed to walk down the street to Santi Villa, where usually they start their procession. On my way there, many street vendors were trying to sell me alms to give to the monks. The alms consist of sticky rice, fruits and something made of coconuts. The monks are supposed to eat only from the alms they receive. I bought some fruits and as everybody else was doing, I sat down by the side of the road to wait for the monks to come and give my offering. The crowd waiting to give alms was very mixed - many local people just sitting down in front of their porch with their offerings wearing a band across their body, and tourists that their hotels had brought and were explaining the rituals and etiquette and the backpackers like myself on our own, looking and learning from what the other people were doing and doing the same. The monks started walking around 6:30a.m. Each procession starting from their own wats. The elder monks were in front, followed by the younger ones. There were little kids in the end of the lines - novice monks. Everybody was dressed in their saffron robes, were barefoot and each had their ceremonial alm receiving basket. They passed by and it felt very good to be giving them the fruits I bought. As I had bought only one portion from the vendor, I did not have too much to give to too many monks :( Beautiful ceremony and ritual.. serene.. selfless and feels good !
