One night at Htee Thein Monastery
The chanting of young voices fills the air as early morning light filters through the shutters of Htee Thein Monastery.
This could be a dream… but no, I am awakening to the sounds of apprentice Buddhist monks performing their morning ritual. It is 5:30 a.m.
Htee Thein is a small village in the hills of Shan State. Those who trek between Kalaw and Inle Lake see it as an overnight stopping placeas I did too. The monastery is not as old as it seems, it has only 80 years old; her appearance is unusual because it is mostly made of wood. There is no electricity; however I saw a solar panel that supplied two blind neon lamps. During my stay there were only two monks and eight novices. They come from the neighboring namesake village. They start their day at 5 a.m. with prayer. Then, at 6 – 6:30, someone brings food from the village. Children manage it all by themselves: they cook the received food, they arrange their short tables, wash the dishes, and sweep the room. The monastery’s cats also eat with them.
Every Buddhist Burmese boy between the age of 7 and 13 is expected to enter the monastery as a novice monk for a period of a few weeks to several months. He has a choice to return to life outside the monastery at any time, or he can stay on as a monk, if he so chooses. There is even a saying, “You must become a monk, before you can become a man.” Many families from poorer or more rural backgrounds take up the chance to send their son to be a monk as it also means a free education.
One night at Htee Thein Monastery
The chanting of young voices fills the air as early morning light filters through the shutters of Htee Thein Monastery.
This could be a dream… but no, I am awakening to the sounds of apprentice Buddhist monks performing their morning ritual. It is 5:30 a.m.
Htee Thein is a small village in the hills of Shan State. Those who trek between Kalaw and Inle Lake see it as an overnight stopping placeas I did too. The monastery is not as old as it seems, it has only 80 years old; her appearance is unusual because it is mostly made of wood. There is no electricity; however I saw a solar panel that supplied two blind neon lamps. During my stay there were only two monks and eight novices. They come from the neighboring namesake village. They start their day at 5 a.m. with prayer. Then, at 6 – 6:30, someone brings food from the village. Children manage it all by themselves: they cook the received food, they arrange their short tables, wash the dishes, and sweep the room. The monastery’s cats also eat with them.
Every Buddhist Burmese boy between the age of 7 and 13 is expected to enter the monastery as a novice monk for a period of a few weeks to several months. He has a choice to return to life outside the monastery at any time, or he can stay on as a monk, if he so chooses. There is even a saying, “You must become a monk, before you can become a man.” Many families from poorer or more rural backgrounds take up the chance to send their son to be a monk as it also means a free education.
