Sri Lanka. Vesak Day. Part 2. Free Food

Travels

Aug 11, 2012

We continue our story about celebrating the birth of Buddha. On this day in Sri Lanka atmosphere of relaxation and fun, and violate traffic rules allowed nearly at the state level.

Number of road transport in several times more than usual:

It would seem, why such a fuss — watched the parade, time and home leave. The answer is simple and obvious for our rights — the whole point of freebies, well, to be exact — in the free food. Such generosity — not just a manifestation of the soul latitude for Theravada Buddhists — it means overcoming greed and selfishness, an important aspect of enlightenment. During the celebration of Vesak no one eats at home. The issue of food takes control of the local community, which collected money to buy food and organizes field canteen. But even richest Sri Lankans deploying their own point of catering.

It did not turn to fashion nightclub, and the late dinner — free.

In the queue are Sri Lankans with different incomes. If you stand in line for food, it does not mean that you do not have money or do not want to cook — you just respect the tradition.

After 30 minutes in line and finally — a free ticket. Food, you're so funny.

The next day started with a 30 minute queue for breakfast:

The procedure for obtaining food passes three stages: take a plate, receive a portion of rice, curry obtain. The main thing — do not mix.

We arrived on time, because even had breakfast sitting:

Dining room items do not give — for local traditions passed eat hands:

Many cafeterias — plates wrapped plastic bag, then not wash bowl itself, and just throw the package. The ingenious idea for bachelors — such prostelyuvaty bags can be anything, even a cup of tea.

At the exit you can wash your hands and drink water. At the bar manager pantruye catering:

All streets are decorated with Buddhist flags. The five colors of the flag symbolize the five colors of the aura of the Buddha — after his enlightenment:

Flashlight with bamboo rods and colored paper — another symbol of celebration of Vesak and useful infrastructure for dark Lankan nights:

In addition to food, is free to drink juice, tea, coffee or other beverages. I do not have to ask — stop yourself and drink. For this road placed special people:

Treats not only good people, but government agencies.

When the car stopped, they hurry waiters with free drinks.

You can drink what your heart desires — no you do not restrain, but remember that after next 100 meters you will again offer to drink for Buddha's birthday and then again and again… So count or advance their own strength, or go round roadblocks.

Simply amazing tradition. After this first stop we even thought — which have successfully passed Trinity us, if people stopped in the street and offered them drink:

So, occasionally sipping juice, we drove to the center of Colombo and went to the house-museum.

Outside, you can put candles:

Inside — different religious artifacts:

In the church, by the way, is forbidden to go shod. Shoes can be left outdoors, but many people leave it in the car on the way to another church or even at home.