How Burmese monks live (30 photos)
Monks in Burma are everywhere. Any man, tired of his wife, children and worldly life, can go to a monastery and accept asceticism. Unlike Christianity, a vow can be taken for a limited time, from a few weeks to a few years. For Burma, this is an ordinary phenomenon; such a choice does not surprise anyone and is not extreme. Burmese monks don't like to be photographed. They may even be offended by the intrusive attention of tourists with cameras. However, you will not notice any dissatisfaction or indignation addressed to you: according to Buddhist concepts, a monk is above earthly vanity and should not pay attention to it. I am sure that if representatives of all religions treated the outside world with the same imperturbable calm, life would be easier for everyone - both atheists and spiritual ascetics. It's good to be a monk. The monks are loved, the monks are fed and helped in every possible way. We visited two monasteries in Bagan and Mandalay. The latter is a large spiritual center, popular among tourists and travelers. Every day there is a photo hunt here, and often there are more people with cameras than the inhabitants of the monastery...
Entrance to the monastery:
A local resident (not a monk) lies on a bench and plays on the phone. The atmosphere is relaxed:
After the common breakfast in the monastery, the “duty” wash the dishes and clear the tables. A huge water tank is used as a sink:
Over the course of five years, the monastery was rebuilt and changed dramatically (including through tourist donations):
You must remove your shoes at the entrance:
Local kids:
Monks eat 2 times a day - morning and evening. After the meal, the attendants wash the dishes:
And they wash themselves at the same time:
Morning water procedures also take place after breakfast:
Monk shaves his head:
During the “shower” the monks do not go completely naked, removing only the upper part of their vestments:
Monastery in Bogan. It is simpler than in Mandalay, but lately it has also been growing:
It is curious that I saw only women at work. Men are above this and focus on spiritual practices:
Monk before entering his home:
It looks like the cells are located in a cave:
Inside there are labyrinths of passages, and rooms with beds:
Bed in the aisle:
Everything is very ascetic:
Dry onions:
Monastic kitchen:
Found a nice picture:
I wonder if our compatriots, in case of family troubles, went to a monastery for a couple of weeks (and not went on a binge, as is traditionally customary in Rus') - what would our women say to this?
Monasticism is hard work
Academic temple of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
– After being tonsured according to the rules, did you not leave the temple for three days?
- Yes, as expected. On Friday evening in the cave temple of St. Theodosius of Pechersk was tonsured in the Far Caves. Together with me, another student of the academy, Father Agathador, was tonsured. Until Sunday we were in the academic Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, but we were not deprived of attention and care: students, monastics, teachers, and Bishop Rector constantly came to us. We read the Psalter continuously. At midnight, in the silence and twilight of the temple, with lit candles, the Midnight Office was celebrated, during the singing of which special reverent feelings fill the soul. On Sunday at Liturgy we took communion and our hoods were taken off. Before this, you had to wear hats all this time.
– Didn't film it at all?
- At all. But when they take it off, it’s like being born again into the light of God: it’s very hard to be in the hood for so long. For tonsure, they are even sewn a little larger, so that the head does not hurt so much and the ears remain intact. Only after reading the prayer for the removal of the hood does the monk leave the walls of the temple for the first time.
– How did you feel after being tonsured?
– After tonsure, everyone feels elated: they felt special inspiration, the strength that the Lord gives. It seemed that temptations and passions were moving away from you, as if God were protecting you with a shield. But, of course, this won't last long. All of us, people, are sinners, and gradually our pure souls and hearts are darkened by sin. But there is no need to despair, under no circumstances. I always keep in my mind and heart the words of one modern ascetic monk, the abbot of a monastery near New York, Schema-Archimandrite Joachim (Parr): “Monasticism is when a person falls a hundred times in one day and rises a hundred times.” Monks are called to always move forward, not to stop, to fall, but to rise, and thus improve... Monasticism is hard work with many temptations, but the Lord gives strength to monks to walk this path. Every believer understands and realizes that human strength is not enough. Only by relying on the will of God and His all-powerful help, keeping the Gospel commandments, can you save your immortal soul.
– Is it true that only a monk can understand a monk? Did you feel it? A layman cannot understand and sympathize like that.
– Of course, it is difficult for a lay person to understand a monk and enter his state. A family man lives a different life. A monk has only God. I remember the story of one of our bishops, whose mother asked before being tonsured who would give him a cup of water in his old age. He came to his mother with his confessor, and he said that the Lord would send people to the man who chose Him and they would give not only a cup of water, but much more. There is no need to worry about this. I understood this before, but in monasticism I fully realized it. Things that are done in life with blessing are managed very simply and quickly - the Lord helps and the Angels accompany. This is very important, especially for a monk, because he is obliged to live by blessing.
