[ Travel ] Morning Alms Giving Ceremony – Luang Prabang, Laos

While preparing my itinerary for the partial IndoChina trip, I have read up a bit on the famous Buddhist alms giving ritual – both the good and the bad. The day after our first night in Luang Prabang, I set my alarm clock to 6 o’clock so as not to miss the morning ceremony. I wasn’t exactly sure about the time so as soon as there’s a bit of light out, I went out to check. I saw a small crowd already gathered outside, tour vans, and on the horizon – a line of monks in their bright orange garb slowly making their way to us. I ran back to our room and grabbed my camera. What follows is a series of conflicting emotion.

THE GOOD

I have always been fascinated by monks. Maybe because I’ve seen them in countless movies. Their lifestyle is something that is not exactly known to many. Their dedication and faith is something that should inspire me. Most of all, they’re “so Asian”. Well, monks and conical hats. I simply love them.

So seeing them walk by in a long line was a moving experience for me. Although I vowed not to get too close to them, I ventured in a couple of feet to try and get a few decent shots despite the low light condition. So anyway, they were walking barefoot in concrete collecting alms from people who were on their knees. The alms were an assortment of rice grains, noodles, and biscuits mostly. They looked solemn and not surprisingly, didn’t engage in any conversation at all. I’m not sure we’re even allowed to address them. I was witnessing an age-old Buddhist tradition and I was so awe-struck it felt like everything was moving in slow motion.











THE BAD

Everything except the shutterbugs that is. The solemnity of the ritual was ruined by tourists who acted like a bunch of paparazzo taking “in-your-face’ photos of the monks – with flash. I felt guilty about snapping a few photos and immediately stepped back and stayed at a respectful distance for the remainder of the ritual but there were some tourists who even stepped behind those who took part in the ceremony to take close up photos. Tour agencies actually drives some of these people there every morning, I wish they’d give them a word or two. No wonder all the monks have this “poker face” on. I mean, I expected them to have a solemn face and all but after seeing what they have to go through every morning, it’s totally understandable. I pity the very first monk in line. In fact, I feel bad for all of them. I wish the people of Luang Prabang will make some sort of rule about it in the future.





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