Lao Voices

Even thought I did some research and wrote about Boun Horkhaopadapdin on the post, Boun Haw Khao Padap Din (Lao) and Nora Rong Khru Chao Ban Ritual (Thais), and I still find myself amaze that it’s something that is carrying throughout the country in Laos.

I had a reader by the name of John, that once made a comment on my blog about my ghost story that he doesn’t believe in ghost, but yet keeps coming back to read my many ghost stories, this was what he said “crazy story, im going to laos nexx year with the family and i want to see if ghosts actually exist, and try to take video and photos as well.” At that time, I wish that I knew about this Boun event, he surely will see a bunch, might be too much for him to handle I’m afraid.

Actually, I might decide to do this myself one year, I wonder if Darly will volunteer to be my sidekick, or should I say, “lovely assistant”. Lol.

Below is an article in Vientianetimes.org.la

Buddhist devotees rose early yesterday morning to place offerings of food, candles and incense outside their homes before going to local temples to pay homage to Buddha and invite the spirits of their ancestors to eat the offerings they had provided.

The Horkhaopadapdin festival is held throughout Laos every year in remembrance of deceased ancestors. On this day, Buddhists prepare food for their relatives who have passed away and for abandoned spirits that have been suffering in hell. They believe that on this day they will be released from hell to come and eat the food put out for them around homes and temples.

This ritual occurs in every temple and requires devotees to get up early in the morning to bring the food they prepared the day before. Up to nine kinds of offerings are bound in a horkhao , a decorative package wrapped up in banana leaves and containing fruit, sweets, dried fish, flowers and other items.

Yesterday morning every temple was crowded with young people accompanying their parents to pay homage to the wisdom of Buddha. They invited the spirits to come to eat and called for mercy for them so they would be reborn and freed from suffering.

The cloudy morning was very comfortable, with the rain staying away, unlike last year when temple-goers were drenched by downpours.

Devotees began emerging from their homes around 3am, and on arrival at the temple they laid their offerings around the walls, the stupas of dead spirits, under trees or on the ground.

Ms Khampan lives in Phapo village, Sisattanak district, and visits the temple on this day every year. It’s an important time for her, when she remembers her relatives who have passed away. She sets out offerings and lights candles and incense sticks in the four corners of her house.

“I got up at 3:30 am to prepare my offerings, including betel nuts, preserved fish, meat, sugarcane and fruit,” she says as she carries a full basket to Papo temple. “I invite not only the spirits of my departed loved ones to eat, but also those spirits who have no family to care for them. I pray for them to be at peace and for mercy for those spirits that are tormented in hell.”

Believers who did not manage to get to a temple because of work commitments placed offerings around the fence, trees or the corners of their homes. Candles and incense sticks brightened the dark morning in many houses.

Some devotees visit the temple a little later at 7 or 8am to offer alms directly to the monks, as they believe these offerings will go to specific spirits.

On this occasion, Vat Inpeng in Vientiane hosted an important ceremony called Longoubosot Sangkhathan , in which monks renew their commitment to the 227 precepts they practise, and deliver Buddhist teachings to believers.

More than 300 monks from 29 temples gathered to listen to the chanting of the precepts by senior monks. Local people donned traditional dress and bright sashes to listen to the words of wisdom from the monks, chanting and sharing together in the Buddhist way of life.

By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
(Latest Update September 12, 2007)