Burma by THEME Galleries

Burma Themes BEST : I usually organize my photo galleries by location, however we went to so many monasteries, saw so many monks and nuns, and visited so many villages and markets, that it makes more sense to pull these photos out and organize them by theme.

Burma Themes BEST

I usually organize my photo galleries by location, however we went to ...

Updated: Feb 11, 2009 11:24pm PST

Monks : Traditionally, all Burmese men become Buddhist novices (monks in training) at the age of 7 or 8, and again in their late teens or early 20's. This Buddhist training may last for a few weeks or a month each time. Alternatively, if they decide to become a full-fledged monk, they can remain at the monastery for life. In Thailand, we met many monks from farm families who had been sent to monasteries in the city for high school, where they could get a decent education. Some would stay for life, while others would get a job and start a family. Unfortunately, the novices in Burma were not learning English, or if they were, they were not free to practice it with us. As a result, we could not speak to them directly, but only through our interpreter/guide. Women can become novices and nuns, but it is not expected as it is of all men in Burma.

Monks

Traditionally, all Burmese men become Buddhist novices (monks in train ...

Updated: Feb 14, 2008 1:56am PST

Nuns :

Nuns

Updated: Feb 12, 2008 5:09pm PST

Alms : Buddhist monks have over 200 rules they must follow, while lay people have only five (like our "ten commandments"). One of the rules for monks, nuns, and novices, is they only eat twice a day before noon, and only when food has been given to them. Therefore, they go out in the morning to collect their food from neighbors. Monks go out every morning and collect food that is already cooked. (Notice the steam rising from the bowls.) Nuns, however, collect raw food, which they cook themselves. As a result, monks collect food daily, while nuns only go out weekly (hence, I have many more monk pictures of the alms collection.) Be sure to see the photos on page two, where the novices of Inlay Lake go on boats to collect food from the homes that are built on stilts in the lake!

Alms

Buddhist monks have over 200 rules they must follow, while lay people ...

Updated: Feb 14, 2008 2:07am PST

Villages :

Villages

Updated: Feb 14, 2008 2:03am PST

Markets :

Markets

Updated: Feb 13, 2008 8:33pm PST

Portraits :

Portraits

Updated: Feb 13, 2008 4:59pm PST

McCurry Workshops Participants : In this gallery, you can download full-sized versions. Just scroll over the image and click "save photo."

McCurry Workshops Participants

In this gallery, you can download full-sized versions. Just scroll ove ...

Updated: Feb 11, 2009 11:26pm PST