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About 65% of the Lao people are Theravada Buddhists. Buddhism was apparently introduced to the LanXang Kingdom as a national religion in the 13th century by King FaNgum (the first monarch of the LanXang Kingdom) and accepted the PraBang statue image from his Khmer father-in-law (Khmer King). Buddhism was fairly slow in spreading throughout the kingdom. The peoples were reluctant to accept the faith instead of even along side the "Phii" (earth spirit) worship but it did take root in the land of many spirits. Since then the Lao people has maintained a continuous Theravada tradition. Hinayana doctrine stresses the three principle aspects of existence: Dukka - suffering, unsatisfactoriness, disease. Anicca - impermanence, transience of all things. Attana - non-substantiality or non-essentiality of reality, no permanent soul.
Every Lao town has at least one "Wat" (temple), which is often the most conspicious building in sight. Wat usually consist of "sim" (chapel or sanctuary in a Lao Buddhist monastery where monks are ordained), a larger wooden or brick meeting hall and/or bungalows or dormatories.
Despite all the wars and political turmoils throughout the history of Laos, Buddhism continues to be one of the main social forces of the country. |
