# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sun, 19 Apr, 2026 at 09:00 am – Sun, 19 Apr, 2026 at 01:00 pm (-04:00)
- **Event Description**: Sabaidee! You’re Invited: Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE

Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha

While the traditional Lao New Year begins on Tuesday, April 14, and concludes on Thursday, April 16, 2026, we invite you to join our community for a meritorious observance at the temple.  The big celebration and Nang Sangkarn Pageant is scheduled for May 16-17, 2026.

📅 WHEN: Sunday, April 19, 2026

🕘TIME: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

📍WHERE: Wat Lao Buddhovath of RI

88 Limerock Rd, Smithfied, RI 02917


❤️ Community Health Awareness

As part of our commitment to the well-being of our community, the American Heart Association will be joining us! Please stop by their station to receive free health information and live demonstrations. We are proud to host this service alongside our traditional festivities.


The Meaning of the Tradition

The "Bathing of the Buddha" is a sacred ritual of Purification and Renewal. It is an act of deep reverence for who raised us and guided us in righteous morality. Using scented water infused with flowers, we wash away the misfortunes of the past year to prepare our hearts for a fresh, virtuous start. This ancient practice represents more than just a cleaning as it is a beautiful symbol of:

Inner Cleansing: We symbolize the washing away of inner impurities like greed, hatred, and ignorance.
Honoring Our Elders & Monks: We offer scented water to our parents, elders, and monks as a gesture of deep respect and to receive their blessings.
Merit-Making: This act of devotion brings blessings and spiritual merit to the practitioner.


Event Schedule

09:30 AM – Food Offering Setup
10:30 AM – Ceremony & Chanting Begins (Includes Thuk Baht/ Alms Bowl Offering)
11:15 AM – Dhamma Talk: A Venerable Monk discusses the meaning of the ceremony. We kindly ask for silence and respect during this talk; please move conversations outside.
11:30 AM – Final Chanting & Yaht Nahm (Libation/Pouring water for blessings)
11:45 AM – Monks’ Lunch. To show respect, please allow monks to finish their meal before the community begins lunch.
12:15 PM – Community Lunch & Social Gathering


How to Participate in "Boun Hod Phra"

At the outdoor Buddha statues staging area, please use the provided scented floral water. Gently pour a small amount into the water channel above the statues. As the water flows, reflect on letting go of the old and welcoming the new year with a kind, clear mind.

We look forward to celebrating this auspicious new year with you and your family!


For more information, please visit www.watlaobuddovath.org
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/smithfield/lao-new-year-pi-mai-2569-be-boun-hod-phra-the-festival-of-bathing-the-buddha/200029921869042
- **Event Categories**: Festivals, health-wellness
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Smithfield
- **state**: RI
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Watlao Buddhovath of Rhode Island, Inc
- **lat**: 41.909125801502
- **long**: -71.496590469249
- **full address**: Watlao Buddhovath of Rhode Island, Inc, 88 Limerock Rd,Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/ba4fb6bdfd51d0c3707cd9c0cacc25c2c1d6aba31fa95cd78d2ed51b3c6b5238-rimg-w1200-h1553-dcfffffe-gmir?v=1775832702

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha being held?
  - **A:** Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha takes place on Sun, 19 Apr, 2026 at 09:00 am to Sun, 19 Apr, 2026 at 01:00 pm at Watlao Buddhovath of Rhode Island, Inc, 88 Limerock Rd,Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha?
  - **A:** Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha is organized by Wat Lao Buddhovath.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha is ideal for festival lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a vibrant, immersive community experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Smithfield, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Lao New Year (Pi Mai) 2569 BE - Boun Hod Phra: The Festival of Bathing the Buddha sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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