On May 8 of 2009, it is Visakabousa, one of the most important ceremonies of the Buddhist religion; because it is Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death in the same day. To commemorate his gratitude that Buddha find the way to help all living things, in every temples in all part of Laos had religious to celebrate on this day, which was held on the May 8 from day to night. During the ceremony, there were many activities that lay people did together with monks and nuns. Most of them were listening to the Buddhist life including his birth, his enlightenment and his death.

Me, I am also one of the Lao people who really love to study about rule of Buddhism and his life. On this day, I went to one temple name Chomtai on the north of Vientiane capital with my friend; we went there about five people. The ceremony started from the night of May 7. At the temple, about 7 P.M in the evening, we went out of the care and walked the yard of the temple, which was prepared for all lay people already. Everyone dressed in white clothes and sat in circle. At that time, I noticed that most of them, took a stainless sand silver bows with Buddha images, candles and other good luck flowers insides.

Next, after we sat, I heard the announcement from the head of the monks inside the hall to started ceremony at 8 P.M while the full moon rising above our head. First, we worshipped the Buddha, his teaching and his pupils, which called in Lao Pha poot, Pha tam, Pha song. After that, monks started speech in Bali Sanskrit about 1 hour and ended by taking meditation. We done it for 8 times until the new morning came. Finally, we finished by giving alms.

To conclude, I think that this day is very important to all Lao people and all people who believe in Buddhism. Besides, it is also show me that although we face the financial crisis, but for Lao people, there is not affection because we do merit making by pure hearts and minds, not things. Further more, it shows that Lao people sill have a firm solidarity to each other to commemorate our Buddha and religious to stainable forever.

Posted by sphoudavong General