Ordaining as a Monk
The Story of Sisouphan and his Brother
Buddhist traditions have stayed strong in Laos even as the country develops and modernises. One such tradition is the ordination ceremony young men go through in which they live as a monk for a short period of time.
The reasons for this is simple, to respect your parents, the time and money they have invested in you and to earn merit for them in the after life. There is also other occasions, such as funerals or in preparation for marriage.
The ceremony goes across a number of days and begins with the shaving of the head, and a bassi. Once in the Monastery the men will live as monks, sleeping in the temple, cleaning it early every morning and going out for alms giving.
Join the Vientiane Times Sisouphan
Amphonephoung
as he and his brother ordained and lived for a week as monks.
