Religion in LaosFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Pha That Luang (Golden Stupa), a Buddhist stupa that is a national symbol of Laos.

Circle frame.svgReligion in Laos (Pew 2010)[1]

Buddhism (66%) Satsana Phi (30.7%) Christianity (1.5%) Other religions (1.8%)Laos has an area of 85,000 square miles (220,000 km2) and contains a population of 6.4 million. Almost all ethnic or "lowland" Lao (Lao Loum and Lao Lom) are followers of Theravada Buddhism; however, they constitute only 40-50% of the population. The remainder of the population belongs to at least 48 distinct ethnic minority groups. Most of these ethnic groups (30%) are practitioners of Satsana Phi ("deities' religion[s]"), with beliefs that vary greatly among groups.

Satsana Phi is predominant among most Lao Theung, Lao Sung, the Sino-Thai groups, such as the Thai Dam and Thai Daeng, as well as among Mon-Khmer and Tibeto-Burman groups. Even among lowland Lao, many pre-Buddhist phi religious beliefs have been incorporated into Theravada Buddhist practice. Catholics and Protestants constitute approximately 2% of the population. Other minority religious groups include those practicing the Bah' faith, Mahayana Buddhism, and Chinese folk religions. A very small number of citizens are atheist or agnostic.

Although the Government prohibits foreigners from proselytizing, some resident foreigners associated with private businesses or nongovernmental organizations quietly engage in religious activity. The Lao Front for National Construction is in charge of religious affairs within the country and all religious organizations within Laos must register with it.[2]Buddhism[edit]Main article:Buddhism in Laos

The Buddhist temple at the Royal Palace inLuang Prabang.Theravada Buddhism is by far the most prominent organized religion in the country, with nearly 5,000 temples serving as the focus of religious practice as well as the center of community life in rural areas. In most lowland Lao villages, religious tradition remains strong. Most Buddhist men spend some part of their lives as monks in temples, even if only for a few days.There are approximately 22,000 monks in the country, nearly 9,000 of whom have attained the rank of "senior monk," indicating years of study in temples. In addition, there are approximately 450 nuns, generally older women who are widowed, residing in temples throughout the country. The Buddhist Church is under the direction of a supreme patriarch who resides in Vientiane and supervises the activities of the church's central office, the Ho Thammasaphat has the 20% of the populations.Lao Buddhists belong to the Theravada tradition, based on the earliest teachings of the Buddha and preserved in Sri Lanka after Mahayana Buddhism branched off in the second century B.C. Theravada Buddhism is also the dominant school in neighboring Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.That Luang, a Lao-style stupa, is the most sacred Buddhist monument in Laos and the location of the nationally important festival and fair in November.For the Lao Loum, the wat is one of the two focal points of village life (the other is the school). The wat provides a symbol of village identity as well as a location for ceremonies and festivals. Prior to the establishment of secular schools, village boys received basic education from monks at the wat. Nearly every lowland village has a wat, and some have two. Minimally, a wat must have a residence building for the monks and novices (vihan), and a main building housing the Buddha statues (sim), which is used for secular village meetings as well as for prayer sessions. Depending on the wealth and contributions of the villagers, the buildings vary from simple wood and bamboo structures to large, ornate brick and concrete edifices decorated with colorful murals and tile roofs shaped to mimic the curve of the naga, the mythical snake or water dragon. An administrative committee made up of respected older men manages the financial and organizational affairs of the wat.Buddhist ceremonies generally do not mark events in a life- cycle, with the exception of death. Funerals may be quite elaborate if the family can afford it but are rather simple in rural settings. The body lies in a coffin at home for several days, during which monks pray, and a continual stream of visitors pay their respects to the family and share food and drink. After this period, the body is taken in the coffin to a cremation ground and burned, again attended by monks. The ashes are then interred in a small shrine on the wat grounds.Although officially incorporated into the dominant Mahanikai School of Buddhist Practice after 1975, the Thammayudh sect of Buddhism still maintains a following in the country. Abbots and monks of several temples, particularly in Vientiane, reportedly are followers of the Thammayudh School, which places greater emphasis on meditation and discipline.There are four Mahayana Buddhist temples in Vientiane, two serving the ethnic Vietnamese community and two serving the ethnic Chinese community. Buddhist monks from Vietnam, China, and India have visited these temples freely to conduct services and minister to worshippers. There are at least four large Mahayana Buddhist pagodas in other urban centers and smaller Mahayana temples in villages near the borders of Vietnam and China.Satsana Phi[edit]Main article:Satsana Phi"Satsana Phi" (Lao: "religion of the gods [phi]") is a classificatory term for theethnic religionspracticed by 30.7%[3]of the population ofLaos.[4][5]These religions are of thepantheisticandpolytheistic-animistickind, often includingshamanicroles.The category comprehends traditions of theLaoand otherTai-Kadaifolks, theKhmuand otherMon-Khmerfolks, as well as religions of theHmong-Mien(HmongismandYao Taoism),Tibeto-Burman, and otherethnic groups of Laos.[5]Among the Lao, theLao LoumandLao Lom[4]are predominantlyBuddhist, while theLao TheungandLao Sungare predominantly Phiist.Christianity[edit]Main article:Christianity in Laos

Catholic Church "Sacre Coeur" (built 1928), Vientiane.Christianity is a minority religion in Laos. There are three recognized Churches in Laos: the Lao Evangelical Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Roman Catholic Church.There are approximately 45,000 members of the Roman Catholic Church, many of whom are ethnic Vietnamese, concentrated in major urban centers and surrounding areas along the Mekong River in the central and southern regions of the country. The Catholic Church has an established presence in five of the most populous central and southern provinces, and Catholics are able to worship openly. The Catholic Church's activities are more circumscribed in the north. The church's property in Luang Prabang was seized after 1975, and there is no longer a parsonage in that city. An informal Catholic training center in Thakhek prepared a small number of priests to serve the Catholic community (20%).Approximately 400 Protestant congregations conduct services throughout the country for a community that has grown rapidly in the past decade. Church officials estimate Protestants to number as many as 100,000. Many Protestants are members of ethnic Mon-Khmer groups, especially the Khmu in the north and the Brou in the central provinces. Numbers of Protestants also have expanded rapidly in the Hmong and Yao communities.In urban areas, Protestantism has attracted many lowland Lao followers. Most Protestants are concentrated in Vientiane Municipality, in the provinces of Vientiane, Sayaboury, Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, Bolikhamsai, Savannakhet, Champassak, and Attapeu, as well as in the former Saisomboun Special Zone, but smaller congregations are located throughout the country. The LFNC officially recognizes only two Protestant groups - the Lao Evangelical Church and the Seventh-day Adventist Church - and requires all non-Catholic Christian groups to operate under one of these organizations.Seventh-day Adventists number slightly more than 1,000 country-wide, with congregations in Vientiane Municipality as well as Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champassak, Luang Prabang, and Xieng Khouang provinces. Christian denominations that have some following in the country, but which are not recognized by the Government, include the Methodists, Jehovahs Witnesses, Church of Christ, Assemblies of God, Lutherans, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and Baptists. Official membership numbers are not available.Other religions[edit]Laos used to be part of the Khmer Empire and has some remaining Hindu temples.Small groups of followers of Confucianism and Taoism practice their beliefs in the larger cities

Official name Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxn Lao (Lao Peoples Democratic Republic)Form of governmentunitary single-party peoples republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [132])Head of state President: Choummaly SayasoneHead of government tPrime Minister: Thongsing ThammavongCapitalVientiane (Viangchan)Official language LaoOfficial religion noneMonetary unitkip (KN)Population(2014 est.) 6,788,000Total area (sq mi)91,429Total area (sq km)236,800Urban-rural populationUrban: (2011) 34.3%Rural: (2011) 65.7%Life expectancy at birthMale: (2009) 59.8 yearsFemale: (2009) 63.5 yearsLiteracy: percentage of population age 15 and over literateMale: (2005) 82.5%Female: (2005) 63.2%GNI per capita (U.S.$)(2013) 1,460

PeopleNationality:Noun and adjective--Lao (sing. and pl.).Population (2003): 5,921,545 million.Annual growth rate (2002): 5.7%.Ethnic groups: Lao Loum 53%; other lowland Lao 13% (Thai Dam, Phouane); Lao Theung (midslope) 23%; Lao Sung (highland), including Hmong, Akha, and the Yao (Mien) 10%; ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%.Religions: Principally Buddhism, with animism among highland groups.Languages: Lao (official), French, various highland ethnic, English.Education:Literacy--57%.Health (2002):Infant mortality rate--88/1,000.Life expectancy--55.44 years for women, 51.44 years for men.Work force (2.8 million, 2002):Agriculture--85%;industry and services--15%.

People of LaosLaos' population was estimated at about 5.9 million in 2003, dispersed unevenly across the country. Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. Vientiane prefecture, the capital and largest city, had about 633,000 residents in 2002. The country's population density was 25/sq. km.

About half the country's people are ethnic Lao, the principal lowland inhabitants and politically and culturally dominant group. The Lao are descended from the Tai people who began migrating southward from China in the first millennium A.D. Mountain tribes of Miao-Yao, Austro-Asiatic, Tibeto-Burman--Hmong, Yao, Akha, and Lahu--and Tai ethno linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos. Collectively, they are known as Lao Sung or highland Lao. In the central and southern mountains, Mon-Khmer tribes, known as Lao Theung or midslope Lao, predominate. Some Vietnamese and Chinese minorities remain, particularly in the towns, but many left in two waves--after independence in the late 1940s and again after 1975.

The predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism. Animism is common among the mountain tribes. Buddhism and spirit worship coexist easily. There also are small numbers of Christians and Muslims.

The official and dominant language is Lao, a tonal language of the Tai linguistic group. Midslope and highland Lao speak an assortment of tribal languages. French, once common in government and commerce, has declined in usage, while knowledge of English--the language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)--has increased in recent years.

Ancient LaosThe earliest inhabitants of Laos were hunter-gatherers. Later they were farmers growing rice and pulses. The first farmers used stone tools but from about 2,000 BC bronze was used in Laos and from about 500 BC iron.However unlike Vietnam the people of Laos were influenced by Indian rather than Chinese culture. From the 1st century AD Indian merchants introduced Theravada Buddhism into Laos.From the 9th to the 13th century the Khmers from Cambodia ruled much of what is now Laos.However in the 14th century the ancestors of today's Laotians founded a kingdom called Lan Xang. The first king was the ambitious Chao Fa Ngum, who was succeeded by his son Phaya Samsenthai in 1373. He ruled until 1421 and under him Lan Xang became a prosperous kingdom. Unfortunately his successors were less skillful rulers.In the 16th century Lan Xang was threatened by Burma but it managed to retain its independence.In the 17th century greatness was restored to Lan Xang by Sourinyavongsa (1637-1694). His long reign is seen as a golden age. During it Lan Xang was powerful and prosperous. However when Sourinyavongsa died in 1694 he did not leave a heir.In the early 18th century Lan Xang split into 3 regions centered on Luang Prang in the north, Vientiane in the middle and Champasak in the south. When it was divided in that way Laos was weakened and fell prey to Siam (Thailand). In 1779 Siamese forces occupied Vientiane. Afterwards the three Laotian states were dominated by Siam (Thailand).In 1804 Anuvong became king of Vientiane. By 1825 Anuvong had become determined to overthrow Siamese domination and restore the kingdom of Lan Xang. In 1827 he advanced into Siam but was defeated and forced to retreat. Anuvong fled to Vietnam. Several months later he returned to Vientiane but was captured by the Siamese (Thais) ending all hope of a restored Lan Xang.The French in LaosIn 1867-68 a Frenchman called Francis Garnier traveled through Laos. However the French left Laos alone for two decades. Then in the late 1880s and early 1890s French influence in the area grew. Finally in 1893 the Siamese formally surrendered all territory east of the River Mekong to the French.Laos became part of the French empire in Southeast Asia. However the French took little interest in Laos and few French people lived there.In 1941 the French fought a war with the Thais for Laotian territory. The Japanese forced an armistice and parts of Laos were given to Thailand. Then in April 1945 the Japanese forced the pro-French king Sisavang Vong to declare independence from France. Following the Japanese surrender in September 1945 prince Phesarath was prime minister of Laos. He headed a government called Lao Issara (free Lao).However Laotian independence did not last long. In March 1946 the French invaded Laos and by May 1946 they were in control of the country again.Then in 1950 the Pro-Communist Prince Souphanouvong formed an organisation that became known as Paphet Lao (Land of the Lao). At first it was a relatively small organisation backed by the Viet Minh.Meanwhile the French were losing control of Southeast Asia and in 1953 they withdrew from Laos, which became an independent, constitutional monarchy.However Laos in the 1950s was a divided country. Most was ruled by Royalist governments supported by the USA while parts were ruled by the Pro-Communist Paphet Lao assisted by their allies the Viet Minh.All attempts to find a political solution failed and in the 1960s Laos became drawn into the wider Asian War. From 1964 to 1973 the USA bombed Paphet Lao territory but failed to defeat them. Then in 1975 South Vietnam and Cambodia fell to the Communists. Seeing the way things were going Royalists fled from Laos allowing the Paphet Lao to take over. The Lao People's Democratic Republic was founded on 2 December 1975.A full Communist regime was introduced. However in 1988 the government of Laos introduced market reforms. As a result the economy of Laos began to grow rapidly. Today Laos is still a poor country but it is developing rapidly (from the late 1980s to 2010 the economy grew strongly). Laos also has great potential for tourism and there is every reason to be optimistic about its future.Meanwhile Laos joined ASEAN in 1997. Today the population of Laos is 6.5 million.

Declaration of IndependenceLaos, which was under the domination of Siam (Thailand) in the late 18th century, came under the control of the French during the later part of the 19th century. The country gained its freedom from France on 22 October 1953 as a constitutional monarchy. However, 20 years later, on 2 December 1975, the monarchy was abolished and replaced with the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

SongThe translated version of the national anthem is:

For all time the Lao people have glorified their Fatherland,

United in heart, spirit and vigour as one.

Resolutely moving forwards,

Respecting and increasing the dignity of the Lao people

And proclaiming the right to be their own masters.

The Lao people of all origins are equal

And will no longer allow imperialists and traitors to harm them.

The entire people will safeguard the independence

And the freedom of the Lao nation.

They are resolved to struggle for victory

In order to lead the nation to prosperity.

HistoryAfter years of civil war, On 2 December 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government of Laos forcing King Savang Vatthana to abdicate the throne. The new government introduced a socialist regime and renamed the country as the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Prince Souphanouvong Thao was sworn in as the President. In 1997, Laos became a member of ASEAN and joined the WTO in 2013.

Laos adopted a new flag: red, white and blue. The color red symbolizes the blood people shed for getting their desired freedom, while the blue symbolizes the health of the nation. Finally, the white disc represents the unity of the nation under the Communist rule.

Basic Indicatorsto the top

Under-5 mortality rank36

Under-5 mortality rate (U5MR), 1990163

Under-5 mortality rate (U5MR), 201272

U5MR by sex 2012, male77

U5MR by sex 2012, female66

Infant mortality rate (under 1), 1990112

Infant mortality rate (under 1), 201254

Neonatal mortality rate 201227

Total population (thousands) 20126645.8

Annual no. of births (thousands) 2012181

Annual no. of under-5 deaths (thousands) 201214

GNI per capita (US$) 20121260

Life expectancy at birth (years) 201267.9

Total adult literacy rate (%) 2008-2012*72.7

Primary school net enrolment ratio (%) 2008-2011*97.4

Definitions and data sources

Nutritionto the top

Low birthweight (%) 2008-2012*14.8

Early initiation of breastfeeding (%), 2008-2012*29.8

Exclusive breastfeeding