In Buddhism, alms or almsgiving is the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk, nun, spiritually-developed person or other sentient being. It is not charity as presumed by Western interpreters. It is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual and to show humbleness and respect in the presence of normal society.[note 1] The visible presence of monks and nuns is a stabilizing influence. The act of alms giving assists in connecting the human to the monk or nun and what he/she represents. Monks receiving alms in Luang Prabang, Laos, 2010.

Young boy playing the Khene. The Khene is a reed musical instrument so loved and readily recognised by the people of Laos that it has become part of their every day life similar to other instrumental terms such as table, chair, food. Many Lao have learned the word "khene" or heard the instrument being played since early childhood, but few know much about its origin or how to play it. However, some Lao scholars have been able to retrace where the word "Khene" came from in the form of legend. It is said that long ago, there was a Lao widow who liked to imitate the birds' songs. One day, she followed the well-known hunters of her village to a hunting expedition into the deep forest which took many weeks. To record this special sound, the widow made a wind instrument using the mouth to blow air into. Napho village, Laos, 2010.