Lao Voices

• Lumvong Pa by Alexandra Bounxouei

On Sunday, we had Phapa Presentation or Pakaprak Day at our local Wat (temple) that I attended. It is the day of presentation the forest robe to the monks, and giving donation to support the temple. I heard of the term before, but was confused with Thot Kathin Ceremony, which is the ceremony of presentation the yellow robe to Buddhist monks and this takes place at the end of Buddhist Lent period around the end of October.

My dad said that it’s very similar, but Thot Phapa can be held anytime, even during the lent period such as right now, and it’s a way to help raise money for Wat (temple) as well.

Tuk Badt (Alms giving) ceremony starts off with respectable elders of our community.

Food offering to monks.

At the end of the ceremony, the head abbot told the story of Pravade, which is the story of Prince Vessantara, one of the Lord Buddha’s past lives. I’ve heard the story before, and the banner that is wrapped around the outdoor Sala Houng Tum (Worship Hall) tells the story of the Lord Buddha.

I like to attend the Bound events at our Local temple, and for some of us, it’s a retreat where we find our inner peace, a place to wash away the rust that has been clinging to our heart, learning to let go of the past and to start fresh with the new beginning.