Boun Pi Mai is the most celebrated Lao holiday, marking the traditional New Year. It is a time for renewal, water blessings, family reunions, and community celebrations. Temple rituals include bathing Buddha statues, offering alms, building sand stupas, and blessing ceremonies for health and prosperity. The festival is both joyful and deeply spiritual.

Boun Phavet is a revered Theravāda Buddhist festival in Laos that celebrates the life of Phra Vessantara (known in Pali as Vessantara), the Buddha’s penultimate incarnation before attaining enlightenment. This festival highlights the values of generosity, compassion, and selflessness, which are embodied in the story of Phra Vessantara, who gave away all his possessions—including his […]

This marks the beginning of the three-month Rains Retreat (Vassa), when monks remain at their temples for intensive study and meditation. Laypeople bring candles, robes, and offerings to support the monastics. It is also a time for individuals to take on temporary vows or deepen their spiritual practice.

This is a fundraising event to raise money toward the completion of Sala Construction. It is planned but not yet confirmed. More information to come!

Boun Hor Khao Padap Din (Festival of Offering to the Spirits) is a deeply spiritual Lao Buddhist festival dedicated to honoring deceased relatives and ancestral spirits. The name translates to “Festival of Placing Offerings on the Ground,” symbolizing the act of giving food and merit to wandering spirits who have not yet been reborn or […]

Boun Hor Khao Salak (Personalized Offering Festival) Boun Hor Khao Salak is a cherished Lao Theravāda Buddhist festival focused on making personalized offerings to monks in honor of deceased relatives. The term “Hor Khao Salak” means “offering rice and necessities with a name tag,” symbolizing the unique intention behind each gift. Unlike general merit-making, this […]

Boun Ock Phansa (End of Buddhist Lent) Boun Ock Phansa marks the official end of Vassa, the three-month Buddhist Rains Retreat during which monks stay in their monasteries for study, meditation, and spiritual discipline. For laypeople, it is a time to reflect on the merit they’ve made during this sacred period and to celebrate with […]

Boun Kathin (Robe Offering Ceremony) Boun Kathin is a joyful and highly meritorious Lao Buddhist festival held at the end of the Vassa (Buddhist Rains Retreat). It is a time when laypeople come together to offer new robes and daily necessities to the monks, expressing gratitude for their dedication and spiritual guidance during the retreat. […]