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India and Nepal 2022
It is estimated that there are 500,000 Buddhist monks and novice monks in Myanmar and a further 75,000 nuns.
It it is seen as a rite of passage for young boys in particular and monks are a social force and widely revered. They are part and parcel of life here in Myanmar and a daily sight for me where I live in Kyaik Waing Pagoda road.
Buddhism, following the Theravada tradition here in Myanmar, is deeply engrained in cultural norms and practices. For my women's group, for example, this provides an obstacle to gender equality as it perpetuates the status of men on a higher level to women.
89% of the population are classified as Buddhist and this religion has been here for over 2,000 years.
Novice monks, some as young as 7 are a familiar sight around town. These novice monks spend a few weeks learning about the main tenets of the faith before choosing whether to stay or leave.
For many poor families, it is a way of ensuring that their sons receive an education and there has been a reemergence of monastic schools in the country.
Each morning I will see barefooted monks collecting alms and food and in return the donor is bestowed a 'merit'. The main colour of robes is crimson and I may also see brown and saffron colours.
Since colonial times, monks have been politically active and are seen on historic photos of struggle and protest.
In contrast, the nuns wear pink and like monks, have their heads shaved. They do not share the same social status as monks - for example, people will stand up for monks on the bus but not for nuns.
Like monks, you will often see young novice nuns on the streets in their fresh pink robes. Women and nuns can often not visit the holiest parts of religious monuments and not allowed to give sermons at major festivals.
All in all, a colourful and fascinating insight first hand into this religious, social and cultural phenomenon.
It it is seen as a rite of passage for young boys in particular and monks are a social force and widely revered. They are part and parcel of life here in Myanmar and a daily sight for me where I live in Kyaik Waing Pagoda road.
Buddhism, following the Theravada tradition here in Myanmar, is deeply engrained in cultural norms and practices. For my women's group, for example, this provides an obstacle to gender equality as it perpetuates the status of men on a higher level to women.
89% of the population are classified as Buddhist and this religion has been here for over 2,000 years.
Novice monks, some as young as 7 are a familiar sight around town. These novice monks spend a few weeks learning about the main tenets of the faith before choosing whether to stay or leave.
For many poor families, it is a way of ensuring that their sons receive an education and there has been a reemergence of monastic schools in the country.
Each morning I will see barefooted monks collecting alms and food and in return the donor is bestowed a 'merit'. The main colour of robes is crimson and I may also see brown and saffron colours.
Since colonial times, monks have been politically active and are seen on historic photos of struggle and protest.
In contrast, the nuns wear pink and like monks, have their heads shaved. They do not share the same social status as monks - for example, people will stand up for monks on the bus but not for nuns.
Like monks, you will often see young novice nuns on the streets in their fresh pink robes. Women and nuns can often not visit the holiest parts of religious monuments and not allowed to give sermons at major festivals.
All in all, a colourful and fascinating insight first hand into this religious, social and cultural phenomenon.
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