Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Buddhist's spiritual strategy, a way to dilute the destructive effects of any sin that may have
been accrued by bad deeds, while at the same time ensuring that the next incarnation will
be better than the present one. Many of the holidays in the Lao calendar are associated with
Buddhist festivals and give the visitor a chance to observe the practice of merit-making,
whether it be ritually bathing Buddha images or donating new robes to monks. Making merit
is accomplished most readily by giving
alms
to Buddhist monks and novices. This enchant-
ing practice can be witnessed just after dawn, when barefoot monks solemnly walk through
the neighbourhood or village surrounding their monasteries in order to collect offerings of
food from laypeople. Merit thus acquired is believed to bring the giver good fortune in this
life and the next, and also to dilute the destructive effects of sin that may have been accumu-
lated. Male adherents may also make merit for themselves and their families by taking vows
and becoming a novice monk for a limited period of time. Even more merit may be acquired
by becoming an ordained disciple of the Buddha.
