Giving Alms

One of the strange things we did on this trip was to partake in the daily ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks. In order to participate, we had to leave the hotel at 5:30 am before the sun was up to get in the right spot. Chairs were set up for us where we were seated and took off our shoes. The ‘Tak Bat’ is a unique ritual still followed by the locals of Luang Prabang. The monks follow the same route each day where people provide rice for them. As a monk passes by, a small handful of rice is placed in their urn. You did not have to give every monk some rice as when they return to their monastery they equally share all they have received. Their procession by us probably lasted about 15 minutes and the streets were full of those giving alms to the monks. I am not sure I really felt good about this whole process.Læs mere