I felt like it was such a holy experience watching the monks walk barefoot with their little bowls/baskets waiting to be filled with hot sticky rice from the locals and the tourists. They just pass by quickly, a blur of orange robes getting their baskets full, and walking almost the entire town in a span of about an hour.
At about 6: 35pm, at one of the streets near the Mekong, this was the scene of locals waiting for the monks. There are many rules to be observed during alms-giving, and one of these is that women should always have their heads lower than the monks, the reason why they are sitting down. Men, on the other hand, are allowed to stand and be on the same level as the monks.
Most of the people in this line seemed to be locals, as they were quick in handling the hot sticky rice, and some had plastic bags filled with food already, ready to be distributed to the monks. It's as if they have been doing this ritual every single day of their lives.
Some of the monks carry plastic bags full of food which come from locals. Whatever food comes inside their bowls would be their food for the rest of the day. Maybe that's why they have lean bodies. Regulated eating does have its benefits!
It is rare that a monk would look into a camera lens. We felt at times that they were shy or maybe just didn't want their picture taken.
Little baskets of sticky rice are sold by vendors in the streets around Luang Prabang. Our hotel offered to cook some sticky rice for us, but we hesitated as we wanted to just watch during our first visit. Maybe someday when we come back we'll be able to take part in the ceremony. :)
Grills on the fence of a house were placed with balls of sticky rice...
In another house, a little mountain of sticky rice was formed as well... These were probably leftovers from the many times they have offered alms to the monks.
Many tourists were there as well to watch the ceremony. Some of them took part by purchasing some sticky rice from the vendors. These vendors even let you borrow their scarves to cover up, or to lay on top of your clothes to be more respectful of the monks' attires.
Empty sticky rice baskets left on the street waiting to be collected by the vendors who sold them.
It was such a humbling ceremony to watch... It is said that the monks don't want to do it anymore because sometimes they get sick from the sticky rice or other food that the tourists buy from vendors. But they have no choice as the government dictates for them to continue the ritual as it attracts tourists.
Next, we have to find some breakfast for ourselves! :) It's our turn to eat!
No comments:
Post a Comment