LAOS – Luang Prabang – Communal Chant and Meditation with the Monks

Description

An enlightening chanting and meditation experience located at Vat Paphai-a serene temple that houses priceless religious artifacts. This unique activity gives insight into an aspect of the lives of Buddhist monks-the communal chanting and meditation ritual which takes place daily at sunset. A book of transliterations of the complex sutras and ancient holy texts of Theravada Buddhism will be provided to allow travelers to participant in the chanting ritual. Then, the lights in the temple will be dimmed and a truly special group meditation with the monks will commence. Occasionally, an English-speaking monk may be present to chat with visitors about Buddhism and life in the temple before the chanting and meditation begin. 

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Early Morning Yoga

Selling points

• Ideal for those who want to learn more about Buddhism.
• An evening activity close to the center of Luang Prabang.
• Receive a transliterated book of the Buddhist holy scripture to be able to follow the chanting and meditation ceremony.
• To have a real, authentic, immersive experience of Buddhism-ideal for both beginners and confirmed devotees.
• A unique group meditation experience.

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Economic Impact

Time And Transportation

Duration

• 2 hours.
• Product timing: 30 minutes talk with an English-speaking monk (subject to availability), 30 minutes chanting together with the monk, 1 hour of meditation.
• This activity takes place daily from 17:30 to 19:30.

Min pax

1

Max pax

12

How to sell it

• Suitable for FIT up to 12 pax.
• An excellent activity for clients with a wellness profile. 
• A unique way to get closer to Buddhist culture and religious practices. 
• An engaging evening activity. 

Why this activity

• Perfect as part of a wellness tour, for requests for meditation, or just as an extra experience for curious guests.
• An inexpensive activity and immersive activity with high cultural value. 
• A perfect way to end a day of touring in peace and tranquility.
• A great insight into Buddhist culture. 
• Vat Paphai Luang Prang is a beautiful and quiet temple, away from the usual touristic sites.

Good to combine with

• This activity can be part of a full-day wellness themed program:
• Start the day with LAOS – Luang Prabang – Early Morning Yoga; followed by either:
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Visit Kuang Sy Waterfall (Leisure); or:
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Hike to Kuang Sy Waterfalls (Active); or:
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Artist in Residence (Exclusive, cultural); followed by:
• This activity and dinner afterwards at a local restaurant supplier. 

Do not combine with

• Sunset cruise or other evening activity. 

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• Only Easia provides this experience at Vat Paphai temple.

Pros

• Wellness activity to bring clients closer to local Buddhist culture. 
• A way to unwind after a day of activities. 
• Evening activity. 
• Easy to arrange and access. 

Cons

• The English-speaking monk is not always available. 

Information

• This activity takes place daily at the end of the day – this experience takes place daily from 17:30 to 19:30.
• It is recommended to have a guide to get extra explanations.
• Provide small stools for guests who cannot sit on the floor if needed.
• We plan 1 hour of communal meditation with the monks, but the guests can leave whenever they want, as they will sit near the exit door of the temple.

Guests should be aware of the code of conduct in temples:

1. Dress properly: always cover shoulders and knees – Women: no tight pants.
2. Maintain a quiet, silent atmosphere; keep your voice soft.
3. Show your respect to the monks by greeting them with hands together.
4. Eating and drinking are not recommended inside the temple area.
5. Avoid smoking inside the temple area.
6. Before taking pictures to monks and novices, ask for their permission.
7. Do not take any pictures to monks and novices while they eat or take a shower.
8. Women: avoid any physical contact with monks and novices.
9. Women: do not stand/sit next to monks and novices, keep at a reasonable distance from them.
10. Women: monks and novices are not allowed to receive/give anything directly from/to the hands of women.

Alerts

• The English speaking monk is not always available so not included as a part of the activity, just a bonus if he is available.
• Clients should be comfortable sitting either on the floor or on a low stool.

Important information

• This experience takes place daily from 17:30 to 19:30.

Price range

$

Quotation guideline

On ERP:

• LAOS > Luang Prabang > Activity > Communal Chant & Meditation with the Monks > Chant and Meditation
• Group of 1 – 10 persons: 50 USD / group.
• Group of 11 – 20 persons: 100 USD / group.
• Donation to the temple is included in the above prices.

Inclusion

• Donation to the temple.

Exclusion

• Guide and transportation.

Important notes

• Contact the English-speaking monk prior to the activity to ensure his availability, and ask him to introduce our guests to the daily life of monks at the temple, as well as the story of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
• If he is not available ask for another monk to greet our clients and introduce them with the translation of the guide.
• If our guide is knowledgeable about Buddhism and the story of Buddha he could do this himself.
• Give the guide the donation for the temple.
• This experience takes place daily from 17:30 to 19:30.

Special Guide notes

• The guide can give extra explanations about the meaning of the sutras before the monk chanting.
• Guide needs to take the donation for the temple.

Different Choice

• There is no other place where this activity can be done.

Contact

• Contact: Sa thu Sengdao at Vat Paphai.  
• Phone: (+856) 020 29300102

English

Communal Chant and Meditation with the Monks
This evening you will participate in an enlightening chanting and meditation experience located at Vat Paphai-a serene temple that houses priceless religious artifacts. This unique activity provides insight into the lives of Buddhist monks by giving you the opportunity to join them for the communal chanting and meditation ritual which takes place daily at sunset. You will receive a book of transliterations of the complex sutras and ancient holy texts of Theravada Buddhism to allow you to participant in the chanting ritual before the lights are dimmed, and the group meditation commences. You may even come across an English-speaking monk to chat with about Buddhism and life in the temple. 

Duration: 1h 30min to 2 hours

French

Méditation chantée avec les moines
Ce soir, vous participerez à une expérience éclairante de chant et de méditation à Vat Paphai, un temple serein qui abrite des objets religieux d’une valeur inestimable. Cette activité unique donne un aperçu de la vie des moines bouddhistes en vous donnant l’occasion de vous joindre à eux pour le rituel communautaire de chant et de méditation qui a lieu tous les jours au coucher du soleil. Vous recevrez un livre de translittération des sutras complexes et des anciens textes sacrés du bouddhisme Theravada pour vous permettre de participer au rituel de chant avant que les lumières ne soient tamisées et que la méditation de groupe ne commence. Vous rencontrerez peut-être un moine anglophone avec qui vous pourrez discuter du bouddhisme et de la vie au temple.

Durée : 1h 30min – 2 heures

Spanish

Meditación comunal de mantras con los monjes 
Esta tarde participará en una esclarecedora experiencia de canto y meditación en Vat Paphai, un sereno templo que alberga objetos religiosos de valor incalculable. Esta actividad única le permitirá conocer de cerca la vida de los monjes budistas al darle la oportunidad de unirse a ellos en el ritual de cánticos y meditación que se celebra diariamente al atardecer. Recibirá un libro con la transliteración de los complejos sutras y antiguos textos sagrados del budismo Theravada para que pueda participar en el ritual de cánticos antes de que se atenúen las luces y comience la meditación en grupo. Puede que incluso se encuentre con un monje de habla inglesa con el que charlar sobre el budismo y la vida en el templo.

Duración: De 1 hora y 30 minutos a 2 horas

Italian

Canto comunale e meditazione con i monaci
Questa sera parteciperete a un’illuminante esperienza di canto e meditazione presso il Vat Paphai, un tempio sereno che ospita inestimabili manufatti religiosi. Questa attività unica vi permetterà di conoscere la vita dei monaci buddisti, offrendovi l’opportunità di unirvi a loro per i canti e le meditazioni comuni che si svolgono ogni giorno al tramonto. Riceverete un libro con la traslitterazione dei complessi sutra e degli antichi testi sacri del buddismo Theravada per partecipare al rituale di canto prima che le luci si abbassino e inizi la meditazione di gruppo. Potreste anche incontrare un monaco di lingua inglese con cui chiacchierare di buddismo e della vita nel tempio.

Durata: da 1 ora e 30 minuti a 2 ore

German

Gemeinsamer Gesang & Meditation mit den Mönchen
Heute Abend nehmen Sie an einer erhellenden Gesangs- und Meditationserfahrung im Vat Paphai teil, einem ruhigen Tempel, der unschätzbare religiöse Artefakte beherbergt. Diese einzigartige Aktivität gibt Ihnen einen Einblick in das Leben der buddhistischen Mönche, indem Sie die Möglichkeit haben, sich ihnen beim gemeinsamen Gesangs- und Meditationsritual anzuschließen, das täglich bei Sonnenuntergang stattfindet. Sie erhalten ein Buch mit Übersetzungen der komplexen Sutren und alten heiligen Texte des Theravada-Buddhismus, damit Sie am Gesangsritual teilnehmen können, bevor die Lichter gedimmt werden und die Gruppenmeditation beginnt. Vielleicht treffen Sie sogar auf einen englischsprachigen Mönch, mit dem Sie sich über den Buddhismus und das Leben im Tempel unterhalten können.

Dauer: zwischen 1 Stunde und 30 Minuten und 2 Stunden

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