Buddhism in Laos | History

Buddhism in Laos
Buddhism in Laos

The primary sources for the history of Buddhism in Laos are texts, such as palm leaf and mulberry leaf manuscripts, stone and metal inscriptions, traveller’s reports, and printed materials: These sources, which are held in monastic, governmental, and royal archives, provide information on Lao Buddhism from only the 14th century and after, and many have yet to receive scholarly scrutiny. Buddhism helped construct Lao identity.

Laos | Buddhism & Communism
Buddhism in Laos

Buddhism is the primary religion of Laos. The Buddhism practiced in Laos is of the Theravāda tradition. Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravāda Buddhism and is at the basis of ethnic Lao culture. The percentage of the population that adheres to Buddhism in modern Laos is variously reported, the World Factbook estimates 65% of the total population identify as Buddhist.