As part of our meditation retreat we went to a 'monk school' The school is like any other regular school except that children live like monks. Little interaction with distractions, many chores, limited visits with family, and only two pieces of clothing until they are in school. Only two meals a day, only liquids after 1 pm till breakfast, which is usually at 6:30 to 7 a.m. Meditation and scripture study is part of the curriculum.
I will write the name of the school and some other details later. When I asked if I could take pictures, I was granted permission. But there were strict instructions not to touch the monks. Women are not supposed to touch monks, in general. Furthermore, head is considered sacred in Thai culture and touching head is not considered appropriate.
This class had students from 6th to 9th grade, only because it was a 'Pali' class. Pali, is the ancient language from India from the time of Buddha. The original Buddhist texts were written in Pali.
Sabadee, is Thai greeting. Usually meaning good day, or wishing someone well, it is used both for hello and goodbye. Notice the young monk, 12 years old, giggle uncontrollably as camera focuses on him.
Many in our group thought that it was not fair for the kids to be attending the monk school, instead of 'regular school' which prepared the kids for the 'regular world."
I, however, tend to think that this way may not be bad. Most of these children come from extremely poor backgrounds and without the option of these schools they may not get any education. This is a very good way of keeping these young children off the streets, as they are trained to develop their minds and characters. How could being on the street or getting a half baked education which does not focus on character development be better than this. In my opinion the rich get many more chances than the poor. They can mess up, and still start their life anew, even be grateful for their mistakes, in the name of 'learning'. The poor are not so lucky. Instead if they can have a chance at education and discipline early in life, they can make something of their lives despite their impoverished background.
But I guess people thought that the lifestyle of rigor and hardship for little boys was too much. That they were loosing their childhood and that they had no choice.
But for one, not everyone continues to be a monk. Once they graduate from the school, they are allowed to rejoin the world. Secondly, how many of us have had any choice in getting to where we are? At least not in the formative years in our lives. We went to schools that our parents sent us to. We were taught the way our teachers deemed necessary. And for many of us, we studied what we thought would bring us social approval.
A girl who I had befriended recently said, 'So how is this different from conversion?" Since I shared with her that I do not approve of conversion, especially when that becomes a tool to get the poor to convert. I enjoyed our conversations, and we did have some really interesting ones.
"Well, it is not the same" I insisted, "the focus on conversion with the idea that one will not believe in anything else, and not even explore other pathways to learn about the truth is reprehensible. That path insists on a narrow path, purchases the person's soul, and implies that all other ways are wrong, and cannot lead to the divine. Religious conversion is not the same as going to monk school, especially if that choice results from lack of financial resources"
However, first and foremost Buddhism is not a religion, conversion to Buddhism does not preclude respecting other religions. Buddhism does not insist on belief in a God. The only thing to believe in is Compassion. Secondly, these children were born to Buddhist parents, so are not being converted to any religion. They are just attending schools, alongside learning the ways of the monk. Almost like boarding schools. Thirdly, often times future spiritual leaders come from these groups, who were trained to understand their own minds.
Sanskrit word for Philosopher is 'atamvit'. Atma, self. Vit, knower.
The one who knows himself. Westerners for the longest time had disregarded eastern philosophy as philosophy, because rather than focus more on ethics, it focuses on understanding the nature of mind.
There is much more, but I am going to stop for now, and let you enjoy the pictures.
To me, an orange robe is still quite delightful. Ochre robe, implies a disconnect from the world. A quest to understand our own mind. And a determination to relieve the world of suffering by calming the mind, for both self and the others.
As Peace Revolution's logo states, "Outer Peace through Inner Peace'
Some of us, in the classroom, amidst the studious students.
A novice monk reads a book in Pali.
Everyone looks at Cn, as she makes a comment
The little monk cannot keep the smile off his face, when the camera is pointed at him. Just like any other boy his age, he is embarrassed to get that kind of attention.
The monk teacher briefing us on the rules of the monastery.
A tank of water along with cups and glasses. This set up is at the back of each classroom for the students.
The young monks cannot contain their amusement.
