own to the youngest. All have shaved heads and are barefoot to show their humility.
They usually travel in groups of ten to fifteen, each holding a rice bowl, some of which are quite elaborate while others are simple and utilitarian. The bowls are usually gifts from their families upon their entry to the monastery and vary in value and quality depending on the wealth of the contributing family.
They are carried in a leather sling hung from the shoulder with a cover over the top.
Resplendent in Saffron
The monks are resplendent in the saffron-colored robes that catch and accentuate the morning light making them seem to glow and no religious procession is more colorful. The simplicity of their beauty merging with the fervor of the people creates religion as a gorgeous spectacle.
One by one they file past the people sitting on the curb, who touch their offering to their forehead in deference before placing it in the monks’ bowl. No one speaks. There are no please or thank you’s as it is considered to be a religious ceremony, and women are careful not to touch the monks as it is forbidden by ancient tradition.
It is a silent and solemn procession practiced with great dignity by all parties. Whatever the monk receives, that is all he will get to eat for the day.
The public is welcome but is asked to observe certain rules. No one should stand taller than the monks and flash photography is forbidden. Modest dress is required, meaning no bare arms or short shorts.
Silence is maintained so as not to interrupt the meditative state of the monks. Never grab them or their bowls and as they pass, a slight bow of the head shows respect. While no one will physically enforce their rules, it is simply common courtesy to the culture being visited.
This traveler admits to standing slightly higher than the monks in order to photograph for this story but I secreted myself between two potted trees on the patio of an outdoor restaurant and I am quite sure no one ever realized that I was there. I shot without a flash and would never intentionally disrespect such a ritual.
When every pilgrim has given his or her offerings the monks will line up abreast directly across from the largest gathering and chant from Buddhist Dharma and once finished they silently head back to their respective monasteries to begin a day of labor, usually raking leaves is the first thing to show humility for what they have just received.
What Is Buddhist Dharma?
Buddhist Dharma is difficult to define to someone who is a non-Buddhist. Many think it means the teaching of the Buddha and that is true, but it goes much deeper than that. The root of the word comes from ancient Sanskrit and vaguely means “uphold or support natural law.”
For a Christian, it would amount to a priest saying a prayer of faith after being given a gift.
Tak-Bat is a baring of the soul of the Laotian people that anyone can witness or even participate in if they have a good heart.