Monks Collecting Alms - the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk or nun is not charity as presumed by Western eyes but it is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual showing humility and respect. The presence of so many Buddhist monks is a stabilizing influence in Lao society and the act of alms giving assists in connecting lay people to the monk and what he represents.
luang prabang; Laos; Lao; Laotian; Lao PDR; Mekong; Mekong river; riverboats; river boats; boats; Mekong River Sunset, MSRW648
Description
Mekong River Sunset - The Mekong River flows for over four thousand kilometers from the Tibetan Plateau through China's Yunnan province, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
luang prabang; Laos; Lao; Laotian; Lao PDR; Buddhist monks; monks; Laotian monks; Lao monks; alms; Buddhist alms; luang prabang alms; novices; Buddhist novices; collecting alms
Description
Monks Collecting Alms - the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk or nun is not charity as presumed by Western eyes but it is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual showing humility and respect. The presence of so many Buddhist monks is a stabilizing influence in Lao society and the act of alms giving assists in connecting lay people to the monk and what he represents.
luang prabang; Laos; Lao; Laotian; Lao PDR; Pak Ou Caves; pak ou temple; Mekong; Mekong river; Buddhas; Buddha silhouettes; Pak Ou, MSRW648
Description
Pak Ou Caves are 25 km from Luang Prabang. They are a magnificent group of caves that are only accessible by boat. The caves are noted for their impressive Lao style Buddha sculptures assembled over the centuries by local people and pilgrims. Hundreds of mostly wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the floors and wall shelves. They take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and nirvana.
Banging the temple drums - Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the very basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas.
French Colonial Architecture in Luang Prabang - In order to make the French colonists feel more at home and at the same time to reflect its vision of imperial grandeur, the French colonial government set about systematically rebuilding Lao cities according to European specifications.
Vientiane Morning Market is a large collection of indoor and outdoor stalls selling a wide array of goods. The first floor sells mostly textiles, electronics, and watches; while the second floor has clothing, gold, and jewelery. Surrounding the market building are portable noodle shops and the usual array of freelance vendors.
Chanting Ceremony - Often performed for weddings and other auspicious occasions as a part of the Buddhist tradition in Laos. Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas.
The Luang Prabang Morning Market is a batch of outdoor stalls selling pretty much everything starting up at sunrise and remaining open till 12:00 noon.
luang prabang; Laos; Lao; Laotian; Lao PDR; Buddhist monks; monks; Laotian monks; Lao monks; temple bells; gong; ringing the bells; temple bell ringing; drumstick; novice; novice monk; young monk; Wat Siphoutthabat
Description
Novice Banging the Temple Bell at Wat Siphoutthabat - Buddhism is the primary religion of Laos. The Buddhism practiced in Laos is of the Theravada tradition. Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas
Much of the activity in Vientiane has always centred along the Mekong riverside. Most evenings, people gather to play badmitten, stroll the riverbank, have a sundowner or even buy and sell papayas, bananas or other goods.
Temple School at Wat Siphoutthabat - Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of the culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas
luang prabang; Laos; lao; Laotian; lao PDR; Wat Xieng Thong; vat xieng thong; wat xiengthong; Wat Xieng Thong; Tree of Life; UNESCO; heritage; streetscape
Description
Tree of Life at Wat Xieng Thong - This temple was spared by any damage during the sacking of the city in 1887. There is a reclining Buddha sanctuary, which contains a especially rare reclining Buddha that dates from the construction of the temple. In 1931, the image was taken to Paris and displayed at the Paris Exhibition and was kept in Vientiane until 1964, when it returned to Luang Prabang.
Laos; Asia; southeast Asia; Asian travel; travel; Laos travel; overland travel; Asian life; Buddhism; Buddhist temple; Vientiane; place of interest; Lao history; robes; orange robes; monks robes; Lao culture; Lao tradition; monk; Buddhist monk; Lao monk; young Buddhist monk close-up; paint splattered monk; smiling monk; calm monk; Buddha; Wat Chan temple; temple life; Asian person; young Asian man; Lao man; young Lao man;
luang prabang; laos; lao; laotian; lao PDR; Wat Xieng Thong; vat xieng thong; wat xiengthong; Tree of Life; streetscape
Description
Tree of Life at Wat Xieng Thong - This temple, along with Wat Suwannaphumaham, was spared by any damage during the sacking of the city in 1887. There is a reclining Buddha sanctuary, which contains a especially rare reclining Buddha that dates from the construction of the temple. In 1931, the image was taken to Paris and displayed at the Paris Exhibition and was kept in Vientiane until 1964, when it returned to Luang Phrabang.
Laos; Asia; southeast Asia; Asian travel; travel; Laos travel; Asian life; place of interest; religion; Buddhism; Buddha; Buddhist beliefs; Buddhist temple; buddha sculpture; national symbol; Lao culture; national landmark; Asian capital city; Vientiane; Lao history; Vientiane history; temple; Pha That Luang; religious; tourist attraction; temple; gold covered; carved buddha figure; Asian art; bright-colored buddha; multi-colored buddha; seated Buddha;
Laos; Asia; southeast Asia; Asian travel; travel; travel destination; Laos travel; Asian life; place of interest; religion; Buddhism; Buddha; Buddhist beliefs; Buddhist temple; sculpture; stupa; gold; gold covered stupa; national symbol; Lao culture; national landmark; copy space; text space; Asian capital city; Vientiane; Lao history; Vientiane history; temple; Pha That Luang; tourist attraction;
Description
Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane, the Lao capital, is a national symbol and landmark. 30 gold covered stupa surround the huge central stupa.
Laos; Asia; southeast Asia; Asian travel; travel; Laos travel; Asian life; place of interest; religion; Buddhism; Buddha; Buddhist beliefs; Buddhist temple; buddha sculpture; national symbol; Lao culture; national landmark; Asian capital city; Vientiane; place of interest; Lao history; Vientiane history; temple; Pha That Luang; religious; gold covered buddha; seated Buddha; Buddha under tree;
Description
Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane, the Lao capital, is a national symbol and landmark. 30 gold covered stupa surround the huge central stupa.
Laos; Asia; southeast Asia; Asian travel; travel; travel destination; Laos travel; Asian life; place of interest; religion; Buddhism; Buddha; Buddhist beliefs; Buddhist temple; sculpture; national symbol; Lao culture; national landmark; Asian capital city; Vientiane; place of interest; Lao history; Vientiane history; temple; Pha That Luang; religious; tourist attraction; buddha statue; temple; gold covered Buddha; carved buddha figure; Asian art; seated Buddha; temple scene; bright-colored; multi-colored; ornate Buddha; decorative Buddha; brightly painted Buddha;
Vientiane; Laos; Lao; Laotians; Laotian; Lao PDR; Chedi and Cart; street vendor; streetscape
Description
Until recently, most of the roads in Vientiane were unpaved. You'd hardly know, even today, that it is a capital city, as it slowly shuffles along like this vendor with his cart in central Vientiane. But there lies its charm....
