Lao PDR - Vientiane - Giving offerings to Buddha at the That Luang festival

Giving offerings to Buddha at the That Luang festival, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument of Laos. Vientiane's most important Theravada Buddhist festival, "Boun That Luang", is held here for three days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November). Monks and laypeople from all over Laos congregate to celebrate the occasion with three days of religious ceremony followed by a week of festivities, day and night. The procession of laypeople begins at Wat Si Muang in the city centre and proceeds to Pha That Luang to make offerings to the monks in order to accumulate merit for rebirth into a better life. The religious part concludes as laypeople, carrying incense and candles as offerings, circumambulate Pha That Luang three times in honor of Buddha.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: DSCF3041cc_1.jpg
Copyright: Tessa Bunney
Image Size: 4242x2828 / 2.3MB; Tessa Bunney Southeast Asia Lao PDR Laos Vientiane capital city Buddhism Buddhist religion religious Phakeo That Luang. monument Theravada Festival ceremony celebration traditional tradition custom Boun Grand Stupa temple community people Lao Laotian men women crowd culture
Contained in galleries: Tessa Bunney - All pics, Lao PDR - Buddhism

Giving offerings to Buddha at the That Luang festival, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument of Laos. Vientiane's most important Theravada Buddhist festival, "Boun That Luang", is held here for three days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November). Monks and laypeople from all over Laos congregate to celebrate the occasion with three days of religious ceremony followed by a week of festivities, day and night. The procession of laypeople begins at Wat Si Muang in the city centre and proceeds to Pha That Luang to make offerings to the monks in order to accumulate merit for rebirth into a better life. The religious part concludes as laypeople, carrying incense and candles as offerings, circumambulate Pha That Luang three times in honor of Buddha.