B U D D H I S M | Life in a monastery

Burma is predominantly a Buddhist country, with 90% of the population practising Buddhism or embracing a monastic lifestyle. Most novices start their monastic schooling at the very young age such as 18 months and remain in training until they reach 20 when they become fully-fledged monks. Majority of the children who enter monasteries come from very poor families, for which monastic life is not only an honourable choice but often the only way of escaping poverty and gaining an education. Life of a young novices starts before the sunrise and consist of religious service followed by the food collection.  Afternoons are spent in the classroom learning religious scriptures and academic subjects, possibly one of the biggest challenges is the daily fasting from noon until dawn.