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?
Tricia A. Mitchell is a freelance writer and photographer. Born in Europe but raised in the United States, she has lived in Valletta, Malta; Heidelberg, Germany; and Split, Croatia. An avid globetrotter who has visited more than 65 countries, she has a penchant for off-season travel. Tricia has learned that travel’s greatest gift is not sightseeing, rather it is the interactions with people. Some of her most memorable experiences have been sharing a bottle of champagne with distant French cousins in Lorraine, learning how to milk goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village, and ringing in the Vietnamese New Year with a Hanoi family. She welcomes any opportunity to practice French and German, and she loves delving into a place’s history and artisanal food scene.
A former education administrator and training specialist, Tricia has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in international relations. She and her husband, Shawn, married in the ruins of a snowy German castle. They’ve been known to escape winter by basing themselves in coastal Croatia or Southeast Asia.
Her writing has appeared in Fodor’s Travel, Frommer’s, and International Living.
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17 thoughts on “Photo du Jour: ‘Monk Beds’ in Luang Prabang, Laos”
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.”
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!
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! :)
Will try and get some pics of food and bazaars, wish me luck!
Enjoy – snap some images of the mouthwatering cuisine & stay cool! :)
Great photo’s as usual Tricia, love the colours, and a great read with your links to previous posts.
Thanks for sharing
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.
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. :)
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. :)
Travels With Tricia 
Lovely images, Tricia. I miss my Laotian friends.
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.”
I love the quote. Perfect definition of latitudes and longitudes for me. Thanks again.
Lovely people, great shots, see personal in them, nice.
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!
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!
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! :)
Will try and get some pics of food and bazaars, wish me luck!
Enjoy – snap some images of the mouthwatering cuisine & stay cool! :)
Great photo’s as usual Tricia, love the colours, and a great read with your links to previous posts.
Thanks for sharing
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.
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. :)
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. :)
That’s a lovely story. :)
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.
thanks for sharing the insight of Laos monk and life
My pleasure, Quin Lee! Thank you for stopping by.