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Home away from Home
Boun Loy Vanh
Author: DJ21.02.2007
After I ate some Banh Cuon with Grand-Mama I went next door to take some photos of the cooking for Boun Loy Vanh later that evening. My aunt N and her neighbors were busy making lunch for the helpers before I went to Pakse market. When they saw my face the first thing they said to me was “go eat lunch”. I told them I ate a little bit with my Grand-Mama but a few of the ladies said I will have a long day so go eat some more. To be polite I walked back to aunt P’s house and sat with a group of people and ate the same meal that have been prepared for all the helpers of Boun Loy Vanh.
Later, I decided to take some photos and recorded Grand-Mama and her friends making Pha Khuan for the next day. She has decided to Phook Khuan for me after the Morning Alms Giving. I felt somewhat useless since no one would let me do anything. All my relatives and neighbors were all making a comment about how I wouldn’t know how to cook or do anything since I am from the US. I don’t know if they were just teasing me or really thought that I have such an easy life and wouldn’t even know how to cook sticky rice.
Grand-Mama told me that is okay to just observe and take pictures and do some recording. That way all my uncles and my Papa in the US can see what they did for Grand-Papa. My job for the most part was to document the event and show the people who sent the money for Boun Loy Vanh how their dollars were spent. Grand-Mama was not able to afford the event on her own.
I don’t have much understanding about Boun Loy Vanh. My parents didn’t do one for my deceased sister. This is the first Boun Loy Vanh that I have attended. All I know is that after someone passed away a Boun Loy Vanh is to take place on the 100th days (Loy Vanh) of the passing of that person. As you can see there are many personal items that are offered during a ceremony. This is to help my Grand-Papa in the after life, according to a Buddhist tradition.
While I was busy taking pictures and talking to people next door I was called back for Boun Loy Vanh ceremony. It was quite moving with so many people in the house. I thought I had enough time to take another shower and change into a sinh that my aunt K made for me the night before but Grand-Mama said it’s not important. All I needed was ten minutes, five minutes for shower and five for getting dress. All my aunts said it was okay to dress the way I was since my other cousins were in jeans and t-shirts.
I did my best with alternating the camcorder and the digi-cam while sitting in the middle of the room. There was not much room for me to move around and I had to sit in the traditional position and doing the nop now and then. There was one particular chant during a ceremony that put me in a state of trance. It was something that I have never felt before.
After the ceremony and all the monks left, I ate dinner with Grand-Mama while the others ate in a group. I asked my cousin to record me eating dinner with Grand-Mama in a place of my uncles and my Papa.
When I finished eating I went next door to help with the dishes. I was teased by several people and asked whether or not I know how to do dishes. I told them that I have to cook and clean for myself too in the US. They were surprised to hear that and said they thought I live a life of luxury. Well, little do they know of my daily struggles. I said to them that you have to take care of yourself no matter where you are.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
[...] Boun Loy Vanh it was time to sit and talk and visit with one another. Grand-Mama was in pain so I asked her if [...]
October 9th, 2007 at 7:14 am
[...] Boun Loy Vanh for my Grand-Papa, there were plenty of helpers. When the invitations were sent out to relatives [...]
October 11th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Hi! saolao I`m in china
October 11th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Sabaidee Yan and hello to China.