Social Science Year 2
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Buddhism in Laos is largely of the Theravada school. Nearly 60% of the Lao population is Buddhist of the Theravada school, though Buddhism in this country has become integrated with folk beliefs such as ancestor worship. Buddhism was based on the religious movement founded in the sixth century B.C. by Siddhartha , later known as the Buddha, who urged the world to relinquish the extremes of sensuality and self-mortification and follow the enlightened Middle Way…… The focus of this religion is on man, not gods; the assumption is that life is pain or suffering, which is a consequence of craving, and that suffering can end only if desire ceases. The end of suffering is the achievement of nirvana often defined as the absence of craving and therefore of suffering, sometimes as enlightenment. Like in most other Theravada nations, Buddhism in Laos is represented primarily by the presence of Buddhist monks, who serve as officiants on ceremonial occasions, as well as being responsible for preserving and conveying the teachings of the Buddha.
Their lifestyle is shaped so as to support their spiritual practice, to live a simple and meditative life. Photo taken at temple Wat Luang in Pakse. This monk’s school in an original wooden building was set up already in 1942 in the same monastery. Higher Buddhist education in Southern Laos was provided for students who came from the four southern provinces. We had a friendly chat with the local people and monks. Lao monks are very friendly and approachable. We donated some Income to this Buddhist community. Most people donate food to the monks to gain merit and improve their karma. The temples of Laos were once seen as "Universities" for monks. Lao monks are highly respected and revered in Lao communities. Many of the novice monks come from poor villages throughout Laos and live and study.
Een groot deel van de Laostiaase bevolking, zo’n 60% is boeddhist. Men hangt het zogenaamde Teravada-boeddhisme. In het Theravada wordt meditatie benadrukt als een essentieel onderdeel van het pad naar verlichting, samen met moreel gedrag en wijsheid. Het brengen van een einde aan het lijden is het hoofddoel van het Theravada boeddhisme. De Boeddha legde verder een zeer gedetailleerde gedragscode voor de Monniken neer: de Vinaya. Over het algemeen worden monniken door de Boeddha aangemoedigd om wereldse aangelegenheden en passies achter zich te laten, zodat zij gemakkelijker in staat zijn een staat van vrede en wijsheid te bereiken, en sterke ongezonde emoties zoals haat, verlangen en lust te overwinnen. Een Monnik zoals hierboven in z’n oranje gewaad, kaalgeschoren en met sandalen aan de voeten is niet meer weg te denken uit het straatbeeld van Laos.
Posted by B℮n on 2009-11-20 20:55:00
Tagged: , Sangha Colleges , Laos , Monk , meditative life , teachings of the Buddha , Buddhist monks , Enlightened , Enlightenment , Buddhism in Laos , Life is pain , Nirvana , Theravada , Spirital practise , colori , Orange , Buddhist community , Lao Monks , Young monks , To live as a monk , novice monks , Theravada school , temple Wat Luang in Pakse , Pakxe , Higher Buddhist education , Buddhist monastery , Students , School at the Monastry , Social Science Year 2 , Buddhist education in Laos , Buddhist education in Pakse , higher Buddhist educational institutions , Wat Bodhirattanasasadaram , Pariyatti Dhamma School , Tell me a story… , TMS , academia hispanoparlante de autodidactas , 50+Faves , top-f50
