Villagers donate water to monks in the temple. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Making Boun Pha Pa or the offering of new robes to monks and giving donations to temples is a part and parcel of Lao’s lifestyle for a long time.
This feast is also known as Thot Pha Pa, the word “boun” means festival, “thot” means making an offering to a monk, and the word “pha pa” means clothes in forests.
A long time ago, monks only wore clothes made of rags torn out of a shroud or made of discarded clothes. When they had enough cloth they started making saffron robes. They had to wash, dye, and sew the robes themselves.
It was not easy for the monks to make a robe. People started leaving pieces of cloth around on branches of trees in the forests and that is the origin of the Pha Pa. Thot Pha Pa is a colourful event to pray to the Buddha and for the presentation of new robes and gifts to monks.
Making merit brings peace to individuals and Lao societies benefit from such good deeds. This merit also benefits the souls of ancestors and the near and dear ones who have passed on.
The Boun Pha Pa is quite similar to the Kathin festival or Boun Thot Kathin that was observed earlier this year. During both festivals, new robes are offered to monks apart from making donations to temples.
The word “kathin” means a wooden device used for keeping robes taut while they are being made. In the early days of Buddhism, monks made their own robes.
The Kathin festival is a traditional Buddhist ritual that is celebrated countrywide each year. It features colourful parades and offerings to monks following the end of Buddhist Lent in October. Because monks throughout the country are free to move from place to place after Buddhist Lent ends, they deserve new robes as their old ones are worn out.
Monk Maneevone Phommalin of Tonthakhoun Sisomxeun Temple in Vientiane told Vientiane Times that Boun Pha Pa and Boun Kathin are very similar because during both offering of new robes and gifts to monks is made.
“The end of Lent, which occurs in October, is the beginning of the 30-day period of merit-making. After that it is Boun Thot Pha Pa,” the monk said softly.
“The Boun Pha Pa can happen at any time in the year. On the contrary, Boun Kathin only happens once a year and lots of people gather at the temples,” he informed.
The offering of new robes is considered to be particularly meritorious and important. Other gifts include utensils, toiletries, writing materials, and food. Gift-giving is seen as an act of appreciation and gratitude to the monks.
When some villagers visit the temple for this event, they chant and worship Buddha and listen to Dhamma teachings by monks about making merit. After the presentation of robes to monks, participants present monks with rice and other offerings that they have prepared at home.
On the way home after making merit, people feel light at heart and can be seen smiling. By making and gaining merit, many villagers also believe they will live longer and happier life.
Making merit is quite popular in Laos. It is an important process that has become a part of the everyday life of most individuals.
