Hi

Can anybody share there experience/understanding of differences, if any, between Thai Buddhism and Laos Buddhism.

I'm interested in visiting both countries in September, but would like a "heads up" as what to expect with regards peoples experiences of how things might differ. I'm particularly struggling to find any information regarding long-term monastic study for Westerners in Laos or any volunteer projects for either destination.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

Metta

Spacecowboy

There's quite a good Wikipedia article on Buddhism in Laos.

http://en.wikipedia....uddhism_in_Laos

I'd be interested to know, too, if there's any short- or long-term monastic study opportunities in the Lao PDR. I rather doubt it though. Laos has opened up a lot, but I think a foreigner in the sangha might be a worry for the authorities there.

There's quite a good Wikipedia article on Buddhism in Laos.

http://en.wikipedia....uddhism_in_Laos

I'd be interested to know, too, if there's any short- or long-term monastic study opportunities in the Lao PDR. I rather doubt it though. Laos has opened up a lot, but I think a foreigner in the sangha might be a worry for the authorities there.

Hi Xangsamhua

Many thanks for the link to Laos Buddhism on Wikipedia, I have posted a similiar enquiry on other forums but as yet, have not discovered a Westerner studying Buddhism either ordained or as laity within a Laos Monastery.

Hopefully somebody here might be able to assist in the reasons why this doesn't occur, is it an official line taken by the elders of the Lao Sangha or just lack of appeal from Western Monastics who appear to ordain primarily in Thailand.

Many thanks

Spacecowboy

As a people, I find Laotian people to be more "jai yen"= calm in their daily practice of mindfulness and meditation. As well, patient.

This may be more related to their culture, rather than Buddhism alone.

Both Thailand and Laos value ritual, I think.

I met a Frenchman who was a monk in Laos a few years ago. He had been in the Lao Sangha at that point about four years. I asked if there had been any resistance when he asked to ordain (in Vientiane) and he said he was welcome. He is the only westerner I've seen in robes in Laos.