Thursday, June 10, 2010

Monks collecting alms

As in Thailand, all men are expected to be monks at some point in
their lives. Most do it after school but before a career or marriage.
Many are only monks for a couple of weeks, though it varies widely.

Every morning they leave their temples barefoot and carrying pots.
They collect food donations as they walk the streets, and they live at
least in part on what they collect. When you donate, they chant a
prayer with you.

1 comment:

willcrumbley said...

Wow, I had no idea that was a phase, and not a life choice. So, whereas Europeans take a gap year to go work somewhere and party, they become a monk. I am learning so much from this trip of yours!