Khan Ngeune Silver Bowl

Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone presented this gift to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his Official Visit to Singapore on July 9, 2024.

^{Dimensions: 20.5 × 20.5 × 20 cm}

This bowl, known in Lao as khan ngeune, is used in the making of merit, often by placing food offerings into the alms bowls of Buddhist monks.

A central principle in Buddhism is karma – the belief that actions in this life and past lives determine one’s future rebirth. For Laotians, acts of merit include supporting the Sangha, a monastic community, and participating in religious activities organised by the monastery.