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Photo du Jour: ‘Monk Beds’ in Luang Prabang, Laos

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In Buddhism, it’s believed that followers can get good results by giving merit. One approach is by offering alms, either through a Tak Bat ceremony or by donating items to those who are leading a monastic lifestyle.

In Luang Prabang’s Wat Xieng Thong temple courtyard, we happened upon this recently-donated stash of goods. There was everything from orange bunk beds and bedding to toiletries, fans, and pillows.

Novice monks mingled out in the courtyard. Some read books or toyed with their iPods or mobile phones while others interacted with tourists who were eager to show them photographs they had snapped.

I wonder if seniority dictates which monk gets which goodies?



Where in the World?

Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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17 responses to “Photo du Jour: ‘Monk Beds’ in Luang Prabang, Laos”

  1. Shutter Bug Avatar

    Lovely images, Tricia. I miss my Laotian friends.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Jessie, thank you! It’s a delight making multiple friends in new corners of the world, but of course it can be sad being geographically-separated. Even when our friends are absent from our lives due to distance, I do think they enrich them. Reminds me of a Thoreau quote: “Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.”

      1. Shutter Bug Avatar

        I love the quote. Perfect definition of latitudes and longitudes for me. Thanks again.

  2. kolkatakev Avatar

    Lovely people, great shots, see personal in them, nice.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Kevin, I also found it fun to observe and portray the monks interacting with technology since it’s something to which most can relate.

      Nice to hear from you again – I imagine India must be sizzling right now!

      1. kolkatakev Avatar

        Very hot at the moment been 40+, now I am used to Scotland! 8 degrees there at moment! I need to spend more time with camera out and about!

      2. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

        Here’s hoping you’ll get out this weekend for some snapping! I miss the lively atmosphere there and the spicy food. If only Naan, Paneer and Thali fare could be emailed to us! :)

      3. kolkatakev Avatar

        Will try and get some pics of food and bazaars, wish me luck!

      4. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

        Enjoy – snap some images of the mouthwatering cuisine & stay cool! :)

  3. rigmover Avatar
    rigmover

    Great photo’s as usual Tricia, love the colours, and a great read with your links to previous posts.
    Thanks for sharing

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Mark, my pleasure – I’m glad to share these aspects of Laotian culture! The monks’ bright robes do add such a lovely splash of color to Laos’ already-vibrant landscape.

  4. Rachael Avatar

    These are beautiful images and the text is well-written, as ever. Earlier this week a monk passed me on an escalator at Embankment tube station. The juxtaposition seemed incongruous but just seeing him made me smile and feel cheered up. :)

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Greetings, Rachael! Your experience mirrors one we had on a train in Italy last spring. We took open seats next to a monk. Everyone around us seemed to be in their own worlds, yet when we sparked conversation with him, he seemed to draw everyone around us in! What a charismatic and friendly person he was. We wore a smile on our faces for many hours thereafter. And we still hear from him on Facebook from time to time. :)

      1. Rachael Avatar

        That’s a lovely story. :)

  5. travelerlynne Avatar

    Beautiful photos,Tricia. We were in Luang Prabang two years ago and I wish we we stayed longer. The robes are a feast to the eyes.

  6. Quin Lee Avatar

    thanks for sharing the insight of Laos monk and life

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      My pleasure, Quin Lee! Thank you for stopping by.