Invited by Thai friends, I went to get to know more about Buddhism.
Wat Phrayortkeo temple is located 1 hour-drive from the Sydney CBD, next to the noisy road which surprised me a bit.
Each woman coming to the temple was wearing traditional garmet called the sinh which for a short time took me to Asia. That's the place were many Laotians come to celebrate, perform rituals and ceremonies. Unfortunately, we couldn't attend all ceremonies and visit the temple due to the funeral held inside but at least we had a chance to participate in the deeply spiritual experience - Giving Ceremony/ Donations to the Monks - putting the rice balls in to the baskets for them. Additionally, deeply religious people were bringing baskets full of fruits and sweets.
The ceremony is followed by an ancient religious ritual 'incense burning' which is said to burn the negativity away and clean the soul. Usually three sticks of incense are burnt at once, one for the Buddha; another for the Buddha's teachings, known as the Dharma; and a third for the community of Buddhists, the Sangha. Additionally, flowers are offered to Buddha as the most beautiful things in the world and when they fade, it just reminds us that things of the world also fade.
The act of offering is an act of dana – an act of generosity.
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