The life of a Lao monk

Truls Brekke looks at how tourism is threatening the traditional Buddhist way of life in Luang Prabang, Laos.
  
  


Laos
As the former royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang has long been a leading Buddhist centre, home to numerous temples and monasteries. Tourism has increased massively, in part due to the city's inclusion on Unesco's World Heritage List in 1995, and now this way of life is under threat. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
The best example of this is the tradition of collecting alms. Every day before sunrise, monks leave the temples in silent procession to ask for donations from Buddhist devotees. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
In Luang Prabang's main street, Xiang Thong, this deeply spiritual ritual has veered into a tourist circus, with visitors from all over the world barring the way to the procession. The tourists outnumber the faithful. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
In side streets, the mood is more pious. Local residents wait outside their houses with donations of rice or vegetables, ready to distribute them peacefully among the passing monks. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
Back at the The Wat Xiang Thong temple (the "Golden City" monastery), a young monk takes a quiet moment before beginning his daily chores. Tourists have yet to arrive en masse. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
A young monk places a donation on an elephant's head protruding from the temple wall. Holy water comes out of his trunk and is used to clean Buddha statues. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
Morning classes are about to begin at the temple, when novices study the Buddha's scriptures before tourist are allowed in. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
It's prayer time, and the monks gather in front of the Buddha's statue. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
The monastery holds numerous ancient scriptures written on palm leaves. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
After morning class, the temple grounds are open to visitors. Everyone must remove their shoes before going in. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
Among the many visitors who find their way to Luang Prabang are monks from other parts of the country. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
One for the album: visiting monks snap each other in front of the famous temple at Wat Xiang Thong. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
The life of a monk is not all prayers and devotion: here, young monks relax by tubing down the NamKhan river, a tributary of the Mekong. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
Monks gather for evening prayer at Wat Mai temple. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
Final prayer before bed-time. The young novices recite texts of the Buddha. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
Night sets over the Wat Mai temple. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
The temples close for the night. Photograph: Truls Brekke
Laos
As night falls over Luang Prabang, the city's more wordly activities begin at the city's night market, where textiles, food and handicrafts are sold. Photograph: Truls Brekke
 

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