WHAT IS TAK BAT OR ALMS GIVING?

The tak bat, or the Buddhist Lao monks' morning collection of food in Luang Prabang, has become a must-see for travelers to Luang Prabang in Laos. And yet the tak bat's growing popularity among tourists may also be turning this serene ritual into an endangered one.

The practice of offering food to monks is most visible in Theravada Buddhist countries like Laos and Thailand, where the practice sustains large monastic communities.

"The monks leave the monasteries early in the morning," writes About.com Buddhism guide Barbara O'Brien. "They walk single file, oldest first, carrying their alms bowls in front of them. Laypeople wait for them, sometimes kneeling, and place food, flowers or incense sticks in the bowls."

In Luang Prabang, this tradition manifests as a morning ritual where monks silently line the streets while locals (and interested tourists) put gifts of food into the bowls carried by the monks.

ALMS GIVING CEREMONY DOS AND DONT'S

The upsurge of tourism in Luang Prabang has endangered the Tak Bat ceremony, as many tourists approach the ritual not as a religious ceremony to be respected, but as a cultural show to enjoy. Foreign tourists often jostle the Lao monks, breaking their meditation; they take flash pictures of the line; and they disrupt the ritual with their inappropriate noise, actions and dress. As a result, fewer locals are inclined to take part, because they refuse to be part of a dog-and-pony show for tourists. Some Lao officials are considering stopping the tradition because of the deep offense caused by tourists' beastly behavior. It's not that tourists aren't welcome to see or participate - they are free to do so, but only with the correct actions and intentions are in place. More about Alms Giving Ceremony -> https://www.tripsavvy.com/tak-bat-luang-prabang-1629459

These pictures were taken by my girlfriend @Kamile during our around the world trip in 2016. :DDD Are you a traveler like us? Leave a comment below so we can check out your profile...