Buddhist temples in Laos played an important role for society in the past. This means that the period of our socio-economic were too out of dates. In such circumstance, the temple was not only the place for disseminating the teaching of the Lord Buddha, but it was also the place for maonks to practise religion, for traditional medicines or home remedies. The temple was also the place for displaced and homeless persons from from remote areas, who came to further their students in towns. Many of these people went on to higher studies, Dr. Sisaliao Svengsuksa, Ph.D. …. Graduated in Geography in France. He is a good model of someone who grew up in the temple and as become a highly skilled and well qualified person.
At the present time, the number of people staying in the temples is less than before, because there are more schools in the rural areas which can also provide accommodation for the students.
However, in order to show the kindness of the temples, the monks receive alms from the society and then further dominate them to schools and hospitals for facilities such as: tables, chairs, beds … ect. The monks also give the supports in terms of food and medicines to needy people.
If you have an opportunity to travel to Luang-prabang province, one thing you will see in the early morning is long rows of monks who come to receive alms from the local layment and a laywomen. At sunrise, it is still a little bit dark, but the bright yellow from from the monks clothing can still be seen in the dark. I f you carefully look at the rows of people who offer alms to the monks, there are lots of people with baskets to receive back the alms from the monks. This shows the kindness and generosity of the monks.
Further more, if you are unfortun-atnate and find yourself in trouble, you can ask for help from the temples. The temples will provide you with food and accom-modation for short period of time.