Set in natural surroundings and steeped in Buddhist history, Vat Phabath Elkhan outside Vientiane is an ideal place for monks to come for religious and secular learning.
This Buddha footprint is well known by local people who come to worship at the temple. –Photo Sisay
So it was that the temple, located in a wooded area and close to a rock formation famed for its religious significance, came to be selected by monks as the most suitable place for the first Buddhist University in Laos.
The proposed university is envisaged as being a place where monks and novices can expand their knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings.
Recently, monks held a ground breaking ceremony to begin construction of the university in Nakhai village, Xaythany district, where current and future monks and laypeople will gather and benefit from this new educational opportunity.
Local villagers and monks believe that after Lord Buddha’s enlightenment he travelled around Southeast Asia, including this area, where he is said to have fought with a giant who terrorised local villages.
The giant lived in a stream nearby, according to the Vice President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation and National Education Chairman, Venerable Bouakham Saribouth.
The giant caused trouble by eating people who lived in the town nearby, so when news of this reached the Lord Buddha he decided to come and help.
The Lord Buddha encouraged people to stay in the area but the giant became angry and started fighting by using his power to turn things into sharp objects which he threw at the Buddha.
The Buddha defended himself by turning them into flowers.
The giant eventually surrendered and began to worship Buddha. The giant asked Buddha to stand on a stone near the temple, while he knelt down beside the stream, leaving marks behind as a reminder of their battle and for people to pay homage to.
The Buddha’s footprint and the giant’s knee print have become important symbols for the local people, who come to worship on the spot to this day.
Visitors from further afield also come to the temple, especially in the rainy season, because that is the best time of the year for them to enjoy the nearby waterfalls.
The woods and stream benefit local villagers, who collect mushrooms, forest products and insects for their own use and to sell to visitors.
In 2004, the Lao Buddhist Fellowship conducted a survey to find a suitable location for the proposed university. They decided on Vat Phabath Elkhan, which they considered an ideal location because of the pleasant natural environment and its significant religious heritage.
The temple’s setting makes it ideal for students and monks to study and meditate.
Monks and novices, young people and children often come here from ethnic communities that lack educational opportunities. They have traditionally looked to temple schools to make up for their disadvantage. The new university will further expand their opportunity for access to higher education.
According to the Venerable Bouakham, Laos needs a Buddhist university because many students who graduate from secondary school are unable to further their studies.
Construction of the university will take place in stages because it will rely mainly on donations. The monks deeply hope that contributions from the public will rekindle their ongoing education.
Although located in a rather isolated area, the university is easily accessible by car and is about 60km from the centre of Vientiane.
To reach the temple, take the Bankeun road after crossing Thangone bridge. After 41km you will see a sign on the right hand side for Vat Phabath Elkhan. Follow this road for another 19km to reach the temple.
Source: Vientiane Times
By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
February 06, 2010
