Our very own Spirit House

I was very excited to discover yesterday that we have a spirit house in our front yard.

Spirit house?

About 55% of Lao people are Buddhist, with the remaining 45% Animist, meaning a belief in spirits in the trees, in the water, in the house, in the rocks, etc.. However, most Buddhists maintain some Animist beliefs. As such, most people have a spirit house in their yard to pay homage and respect to the spirits living in and around your home. If you don't have a spirit house, the spirits get angry and you will have bad luck.

Before you start judging, think crucifixes and mezzuzas (sp).

So, yesterday Vone and I cleaned our newly discovered spirit house and offered up cold water in a shot glass, Diet Coke, also in a shot glass (most lao give Pepsi, but we figured our spirits are Coke fans, mostly because that's what we had) and a plate of fresh flowers.

We presented these fine gifts to the spirit house and prayed asking for protection for our house and for Phil, Vone and myself. Then last night our house burned down. Turns out Pepsi would have been better afterall.

Just kidding. Katherine didn't want me to write that last part, but she is dictating and I am typing and sometimes the spirit (ha ha) just moves me.

We are to make offerings to the spirits on all auspicious days. We stil need to figure out what days those are, but we believe in some cases it has to do with the number 8 and full or new moons.