Novice Monks
The former administrative center of Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan's largest buildings, is seen in Punakha, on March 13, 2011.(Reuters/Michael Smith) #
Sangey, 6, reads during class at the Dechen Phodrang monastery, on October 18, 2011 in Thimphu, Bhutan. About 375 monks reside at the government run monastery that also doubles as a child care facility for under privileged and orphaned males. The monks average about 10 hours of study a day waking up at 5 am.
Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion, although in the southern areas many citizens openly practice Hinduism. Monks join the monastery at six to nine years of age and according to tradition many families will send one son into the monkhood. They learn to read chhokey, the language of the ancient sacred texts, as well as Dzongkha and English.(Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) #
A man prepares food near a small cat in Jityang village in Punakha, Bhutan, on March 22, 2008. (Reuters/Desmond Boylan) #
Buddhist monks stand inside the complex of Tashichhodzong, also known as the
"The Fortress of the Glorious Religion" in Bhutan's capital Thimphu, on April 27, 2010.
The Tashichhodzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1641. (Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri) #
The Paro Taktsang Palphug Buddhist monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, nestled into a cliffside in Paro district, Bhutan, on October 16, 2011. (Reuters/Adrees Latif) #
Source: the Atlantic
RELATED LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Bhutan - Wikipedia entry
Regional tensions limit Bhutan climate summit aims - AP, November 18, 2011
Gross national happiness - Wikipedia entry
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