Lao Voices

When I read Lao New Year at Wat Thong Phong part 1 about Darly’s “aunt Kian went to eight or nine temples,” and another post of Lao New Year at Wat Simoung, made me think of a Thai article in Kwanruen Thai Magazine about “Buddhist Nine Temples Tour in Laos (Wai Pra 9 Wat,)” [...]

This day, sometimes called “Buddha Day,” commemorates three key events in the Buddha’s life that took place on this full-moon day: his birth, Awakening, and final Unbinding (parinibbana). [Suggested reading: "Visakha Puja" by Ajaan Lee.]

This is a video by James Quilty: Yui and I returned to Loei in North-central Thailand last September to try the awesome Saparot (pineapple) and eat at the floating restaurant. We visited a strange monk and saw the Blyth Monkeys in the trees and a reclining Buddha in the caves.
I think Loei is what Thai [...]

A procession of Buddhist Monks for the daily ritual of Morning Alms Giving.

Vien Thien of Phasad Pheng at Wat Si Muang and the procession of Phasad Pheng between Wat Si Muang and Pha That Luang.

Lao Canadian Society of British Colombia, Canada has been celebrating Pha That Luang Festival since 1996. The celebration takes place annually at the Buddhist Temple of British Colombia. Below are the video clips of the year 2007 Boun That Luang in BC.
Part I

Part II

The grand stupa of Laos, Pha That Luang in the capital city, Vientiane.

I am a fan of great architecture and I’m very fond of temples and church buildings. When I go on vacation I would try to visit churches or temples so I can study the details of the constructions and take pictures. During my stay in Laos I tried whenever possible to visit temples in the [...]

This is based on a book called Buddhist Sunday School Lessons by The Venerable Sumangalo.
Usually we call the Wheel of the Law by its Sanskrit name of Dharmacakra (pronounced Dharmachakra). This is only one of the many signs or symbols that are holy to Buddhists because they stand for our religion and make us [...]

I went to Boun Ok Phansa at Watlao Siribudhhavas (Royse City , TX) 3 weekends ago. What I remember the most from that was not the festival but the young novice monk I saw there. As I was walking toward the Sala, I came across the novice monk smoking. He was just puffing away. [...]