Buddhism is widespread in Myanamer - more than 90 percent of the people adhere to the religion, and it is a prevalent influence in daily life. The monks are the face of the practice and their presence is abundant (Myanmar is home to the largest population of Buddhist monks in the world - more than 500,000). We visited many, many monasteries - too many to list - where the monks live, practice and study their faith, and in many cases, receive a formal education. One monastery in particular however, Kalaywa Tawyakyaung in Yangon, especially touched my heart. It is home to more than 1,300 scholastic monks, the novitiates of which are mostly orphans. To have the opportunity to observe and interact with them as they went through their late-morning ablutions and meal was a sight to behold. Again, words are inadequate, but at least I have the photos. Maybe more importantly, I have the "mind shots" as our group of shooters would say.
