Songkran of 2553 B.E. will be a special event and the biggest celebration for the Laotian Community in Northeast area. This is the ninth year that the celebration will be jointly organized by four Laotian organizations, namely: The Watlao Buddhovath of RI, the Lao Association(s) from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and the Laotian community center.

The significance of this combined effort of various organizations is that we Laotians share the same culture and heritage and strive to achieve the common goal of their preservation. It is important that we uphold our cultural identity if we are to survive as an ethnic minority in the new land or we will face the unthinkable extinction of our ethnic roots]. This celebration will make us proud of our ancient and distinct culture.

Songkran Program
The morning ceremony will start at 9:00 am and will last until 6:00 pm. The traditional ceremony will include paying homage to the Triple Gems (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha), watering the Buddha's image, processions of candles and the Songkran Queen. Other activities such as prayer, the offering of The Five Precepts, alms giving and dedication of Merits to deceased relatives will also take place.

Arts and Entertainment will be featured the afternoon from 1:00-6:00 pm. Several guests and government officials will be invited to attend this event. This entertainment program will feature Lao folkdance, traditional dance and a display of the Lao Heritage artifacts inside of our main Assembly Hall and an exhibit of our proposed project for the new LaotianCulturalCenter and Museum.

Happy Lao New Year

Songkran is a happy occasion where we celebrate the passage of the year and the beginning of the New Year. It is commonly observed in Southeast Asia. This occasion is marked by visiting the temple and offering alms to the Monks. Lay people take this opportunity to make Merit (Tamboon), receive the five precepts, bathe the Buddha's image and meditate. It is also a family occasion for visiting relatives and elders to renew love, trust, honesty and respect. On this joyous occasion, people also sprinkle water on each other, sing, dance and play games.

Meaning of the Lao New Year

Apart from the celebration, Lao New Year is the time for self-reflection, assessment and changes. Lord Buddha has taught us about the impermanent nature of life (Anicca) which is subjected to constant changes. We therefore have to go along with the changes and lean to accommodate the changing conditions, in order to survive and take care of our family.

As part of the reflection and self assessment we should ask ourselves:

What have we done?
Have we cared enough?
Have we been kind to each other?
Have we loved and done enough for our children?

Have we been good to our extended family, friends and neighbors?

JOIN US
LAO NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
APRIL 17TH-18TH, 2010
www.lccnational.org
info@lccnational.org

WATLAO BUDDHOVATH OF RI
88 LIMEROCK ROAD; SMITHFIELD, RI 02917
TEMPLE 401-232-7696
LCC 978-606-9194

Direction
http://www.socialweb.net/Events/
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