Three Burmese Novice-Monks walk and hold the black alms bowls they use to collect food.
It is a traditional cultural requirement for every Burmese male to serve as a novice-monk at some point between their 10th and 20th year. (20 is the minimum age for officially becoming a Monk.)
There is a Burmese saying: "You must become a Monk before becoming a man."
The daily routine of monastic life is very busy; the discipline is exacting and rigid, but never harsh.



In Myanmar, Novice-Monks only have to observe 10 precepts, while a fully-ordained monk must observe 227.
Nonetheless, a Novice-Monk's life is not easy: he sleeps in a carved wooden-bed, washes with cold water, and wakes before sunrise, and listens to teaching for hours each day.
Each morning, the 'sharing of merits' and the meditation of 'loving-kindness toward all beings' are systematically performed.



Novice-Monks learn that the 'merit-making' is based upon three concepts:
(1) giving
(2) virtue
(3) mental development.

Monks believe that 'merit-making' will benefit themselves and their family -- either in this life or in a future one.
Serving as a Novice-Monk is also a great opportunity for poor families to gain access to an education that is free of charge.
Novice-Monks are allowed to play football, watch TV, and have fun. They are still allowed to remain children --and are lots of fun to watch!