I participated in my first Bhudist holiday this week. This past friday, July 11, 2014 was Khao Phansa, the beginning of the Bhuddist Lent. From here until October, monks retreat to their temple and gather to study Bhudist script and meditate. Bhudist can also choose to give up a bad habit during this time too.
The SAILers and I were so excited. Each of us dressed up in our sihns, bought little cookies and fruit, and on Friday morning we went to our local temple. We first joined the monks for a morning prayer. I didn't understand what was being said because it was all in Lao or Bali. After we finished our prayers we went to "That Bhat" which means to make merit. This process is very important. The people bring offerings (food and money) to the Bhudda and monk. There is a long table that is set up and we line up and put items in different bags and baskets for the monks. It is believed that what you give you will get back in your next life so some people do go all out.
The holiday was short and sweet. After visiting the temple my peers and I went back to our hotel and went to class. Sadly, class was not canceled for us because it's just a bhudist holidy and not a national one.
The SAILers and I were so excited. Each of us dressed up in our sihns, bought little cookies and fruit, and on Friday morning we went to our local temple. We first joined the monks for a morning prayer. I didn't understand what was being said because it was all in Lao or Bali. After we finished our prayers we went to "That Bhat" which means to make merit. This process is very important. The people bring offerings (food and money) to the Bhudda and monk. There is a long table that is set up and we line up and put items in different bags and baskets for the monks. It is believed that what you give you will get back in your next life so some people do go all out.
The holiday was short and sweet. After visiting the temple my peers and I went back to our hotel and went to class. Sadly, class was not canceled for us because it's just a bhudist holidy and not a national one.