About Communism and Buddhism in Laos

After the revolution, the new communist government changed everything about Buddhism in Laos. They wouldn't allow the monks to meditate and they changed all the texts so that they are friendly towards socialism. They banned many of the Thai teachings (which are essential to Theravada Buddhism) Even now, the monks have to go through a political training during their novice period. Things have slowly been changing recently. About 3 years ago, they finally decided to allow the monks to meditate again. Of course, many of them didn't know how as it had been banned for nearly 30 years. Hilary and I went to this photo exhibit in Luang Prabang and the photographer had been allowed to go with the first group of monks that were going on meditation retreat. It was amazing and heartbreaking. There was one picture of a young boy getting his hair shaved off and one tear trickling down his face. There were images of monks meditating on rocks and in the forrest. It was all so beautiful that i couldn't stop crying as I looked at their experiences. How life-altering to finally be able to learn this essential part of one's religion.

"Nothing whatsoever should be clung to." -The Buddha when asked to summarize the core of his teachings.