Ritual of Phra Ves : A Case Study of Wat Phon Kheng, Mueang Sai Set Tha, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Abstract

The ritual of Phra Ves or the preaching of the Vessantara Jataka is one of the most important Buddhist rituals in Lao PDR. The objective of this article is to study the form of the Phra Wes ritual at the monastery of Wat Phon Kheng in Mueang Sai Set Tha, Vientiane, Lao PDR., by applying the research approach of ethnography, with an emphasis of functional analysis.

The results of this study indicated that the ritual of Phra Wes is an important tradition, which is annually held during March. The participants create systemically the scenes from Vessantara Jataka through various rituals. These rituals represent socio-cultural aspects of Mueang Sai Set Tha community and their belief on Buddhism.