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Embrace spirituality on Lao: End of Buddhist Lent Day, taking place on October 18! This magnificent day marks the end of the annual three-month rains retreat known as 'Vassa,' a period known for being the 'Buddhist Lent'. Originating in the early Buddhist communities of India around 2,500 years ago, this day celebrates the moment when monks end their period of intensive meditation and return to their social duties. It's a time filled with grand ceremonies, vibrant festivals and charity, as the Buddhist community in Laos gives thanks and honors the Buddha's teachings. What a wonderful way to welcome new beginnings with joy, gratitude and celebration!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>560 BCE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Buddhism</div><div class='timeline-text'>Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become the Buddha, was born, marking the beginning of Buddhism.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>14th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Buddhism Introduction to Laos</div><div class='timeline-text'>Buddhism was introduced to Laos from the kingdom of Lan Xang, forming a fundamental part of Laotian culture.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>16th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Vassa</div><div class='timeline-text'>Observance of Vassa, known as the Buddhist Lent, started in Laos aligning with the annual three-month monsoon season.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1893</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>French Colonization</div><div class='timeline-text'>Despite Laos becoming a French colony, Buddhist traditions including the End of Buddhist Lent were maintained and celebrated across the country.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1954</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Laos Independence</div><div class='timeline-text'>After gaining independence from France, Laos ensured the growth and spread of its traditional Buddhist observances including the End of Buddhist Lent Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Nationwide Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Now, the End of Buddhist Lent Day is celebrated yearly in Laos with vibrant festivals, allotment of alms to monks, and a spirit of communal goodwill and religiosity.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a Meditation Session</h3><p class='facts-text'>Since Lent in Buddhism is a period of contemplation and meditation, you can invite friends and family to join in a group meditation session. This will help you focus your thoughts, seek inner peace, and foster shared spiritual growth.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cook Traditional Laotian Dishes</h3><p class='facts-text'>Food plays an integral part in any celebration. For the Lao: End of Buddhist Lent Day, engage your loved ones by cooking and sharing traditional Laotian dishes such as Laap (spicy minced meat salad), Khao Niaw (sticky rice), and Or Lam (Luang Prabang stew).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create Homemade Buddhist Lent Candles</h3><p class='facts-text'>In Laos, it's a tradition to donate elaborately decorated candles to temples at the end of Buddhist Lent. Why not bring that tradition into your home? Make your own lent candles and use them to light up your meditation space.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate to a Buddhist Monastery or a Charity</h3><p class='facts-text'>In the spirit of Buddhist teachings of generosity and compassion, make a donation to a monastery or to a charity that supports a cause you care about. This act of giving can bring a sense of happiness and fulfillment.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Study Buddhist Teachings</h3><p class='facts-text'>Use this day to deepen your understanding of Buddhism. Read up on its scriptures or find online courses and resources about Buddha’s teachings. Sharing what you learn with others can also be a great way to pay tribute to this significant day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The holiday is deeply spiritual</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Lao: End of the Buddhist Lent Day is an opportunity to look inwards and connect with our spiritual side. Whether you're a Buddhist or not, everyone can benefit from some quiet introspection and meditation on this day. Plus, seeing monks finish their intensive meditation practice and return to their communal responsibilities can inspire us to be more mindful in our daily lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The holiday brings families together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Lao: End of Buddhist Lent Day is so much more than just a religious celebration - it's a chance for families to come together and connect over delicious Laotian food. The act of cooking and sharing meals not only nourishes the body but also nourishes the bond between loved ones.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The holiday promotes acts of kindness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the main principles of Buddhism is to practice kindness and compassion, and this is a significant part of the holiday. Whether it's through donating to a Buddhist monastery or a charity, or making homemade Buddhist Lent candles to donate to a local temple, the holiday encourages acts of generosity that helps make the world a better place.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Holiday is Known as Boun Ok Phansa in Laos</h3><p class='facts-content'>End of Buddhist Lent Day is locally referred to as Boun Ok Phansa in Laos. This name roughly translates to ‘the day of descending from heaven.’</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The holiday marks the end of the Buddhist Lent's three-month fasting period</h3><p class='facts-content'>During the lent period called Vassa, monks stay inside their monasteries to study and meditate. By doing so, they avoid walking on the wet ground and unintentionally harming the many organisms that thrive during the rainy season.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Buddhist Lent was inspired by the people, not by religious scriptures</h3><p class='facts-content'>Originally, monastic retreat during the rainy season wasn’t prescribed by Gautama Buddha. It was started following the demand of laypeople who were worried that the monks might accidentally step on crops or insects during the rainy season.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The holiday features a traditional boat racing festival</h3><p class='facts-content'>One popular way to celebrate the conclusion of Buddhist Lent in Laos is with a boat racing festival, known as Boun Souang Heua. The oar-powered boat races take place on the Mekong River and gather large crowds of enthusiastic spectators.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The making and floating of small rafts, known as 'Luang Prabang', is a popular tradition of this day</h3><p class='facts-content'>During End of Buddhist Lent Day, families create small rafts adorned with candles, incense and offerings, which are then floated on the rivers. This event, also known as Lai Heua Fai, is a way to pay respect to the spirits of the waters for their bounty and benevolence.</p></div></div>
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