Bagan´s true face

MYANMAR | Monday, 14 January 2013 | Views [1335] | View Smaller Image

Two young novice Buddhist monks laugh at the temple during playtime. Every Burmese Buddhist kid from7 to 13 years of age are expected to join a monastery to get educated. From a few weeks to several months they can choose to leave the monastery o stay as a monk for as long as they want. They get educated on the teachings of the Buddha and general education, and spend some time every morning collecting food for the whole monastery.

There is social life around the temples. These two young men take a walk inside the Ananda Temple in Bagan wearing squared shirts and a sheet of cloth called Longyi covering their legs. Most men in Burma wear longyis and although the color and design offer is big, sober colors are favorites.
Friendship is highly valued; it is more common for friends to hold hands in public than couples.

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Within the Sulanami temple in Bagan meditation takes place. A Buddhist monk meditates while people go by without distracting his mind. Almost 90% of the country practices the Buddhist Therevada tradition. Monks are active non-violent protestors against the military regime in Burma and respected elements of society that are still venerated.

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Bagan´s true face

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