Mahagandayon Monastery Meditation Hall – occasionally also used as a punishment room for young monks.

Myanmar Buddhists practice a branch of Buddhism called Theravada, the oldest branch of this religion. Together with many different manifestations of the Buddha the Burmese people believe in the nats, spirits worshipped throughout the country. Theravada is the main form of religion also in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Sri Lanka. As Burma is a very poor country, often Buddhism (as well as the military career) turns out to be the solutions leading to a decent life. Entering the monkhood, young man and women are in this way able to escape poverty and receive proper education and nourishment.

Photo taken in Jan. 2015 © Elena Brunello