About Heaven on Earth

"Laos the Land of 'One Million Elephants'"

Journals from Luang Prabang the Ancient Royal Capital of Laos

“ Bordered by the mighty Mekong, surrounded by misty mountains & verdant Asian jungle, Luang
Prabang remains a magical place of saffron cloaked monks, Buddhist temples & true tranquillity; where
the morning silence is broken at dawn each day by a chorus of feet shuffling out of monasteries.”

Tak Bat a ‘living tradition’

“In the milky predawn light, local women dressed in traditional ‘sinh’ (wrap skirts), spread their plastic mats end to end alongside the village road.”

“They remove their shoes and kneel, arranging woven baskets of sticky rice on their mats, & each one drapes a textile over her left shoulder.”

“Their murmuring voices fall away as they wait, poised and listening.” 

“Soon a faint rustle moves through the line, as if something long awaited has arrived, and then a stream of vibrant orange parts the early morning mist. “

“Dozens and then hundreds of monks flow by in a single file, silent and solemn; their feet are bare, their eyes averted, bowls outstretched to receive (food) alms from the devout. “

All over Laos, from cities to the remotest villages, each new day is greeted with the picturesque ritual of Tak Baht, feeding of the monks. “

An Ancient Ritual

“The ancient ceremony (typically performed by women) is perhaps at its most revered and colourful in Luang Prabang, where the country’s Buddhist ‘heart’ beats with the steady resilience of a temple drum. “

“But you don’t have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the ethereal beauty of this scene; visitors come from around the globe to witness this piece of living history and Heaven on Earth Tours will guide you to Luang Prabang in Laos, the land of ‘One Million Elephants’ which safely welcomed 1.3 million visitors in 2007, with Luang Prabang their top destination. “

The Meaning of Tak Bat

“Monks and novices collectively known as ‘joa’, do not grow, cook or store food at the monasteries, so the food they receive on morning rounds is all they have to consume for the day, (monks only consume two meals each day/ breakfast & lunch).”

“Although receiving alms is a real need, it is also a ceremony or ritual akin to sacrament or communion in Western churches, as when a community member places something in the monks bowl, the moment is special.”

“There is a blessing mantra the joa are taught to invoke each time a hand drops something in their  bowl, the person giving is also praying, therefore a blessing is exchanged.”

“Monks pray and meditate on behalf of the community and in return, lay people support the temples, gaining ‘merit’ by giving alms, although giving may be to anyone, not just monks.”

“This ancient yet living tradition is dutifully and beautifully observed in Luang Prabang, (Laos), where it remains an integral ‘thread’ of the cultural weave.”

“ Most Lao men spend at least two years as Joa, (novices), usually before marriage.”

“Buddha himself performed Tak Bat over 2000 years ago and Buddhism honours the grace of giving and
receiving.” (Fah Thai 2008)

Tak Bat etiquette for ‘tourists’

• Spread out - every temple does tak baht, as receiving alms is not only a ceremony but a real need
• Arrive early - especially if in a group
• Keep silent- during the procession
• Do not be intrusive if taking photos- take from a respectful distance
• Do not get in the way

Note:
Each of the 18 provinces in Laos is unique and ethnically diverse, with varying landscapes and forest types, wildlife, handicrafts and other cultural industries, Buddhist and non-Buddhist festivals, and many ecotourism opportunities.

Exploring the more remote and less travelled provinces will give a better understanding and
appreciation for Laos’s magnificent cultural and natural heritage, and can help spread the imprint of
tourism to areas further away from the main tourism centres of Vientiane and Luang Prabang.