I am staying a Varanasi Monastery. It is a monastery that follows the rules closely. There are many adorable little monks here, about 25. There are about 15 adult monks too. This place is a Nepalese monastery with Nepalese immigrants. Some are several generations, but they have still retained their language. Teaching is done in Myanmar language. There are approximately 300,000 Nepalese people living in Myanmar today. The first photo is the planned monastery.The second photo is the sima hall designed by ven. Pannyagavesaka.The third photo is the new three story dormitory hall. They hope to house 200 monks after […]

A classic picture of the Pa-Auk novice monks from 2004. The young (and adorable) monks were moved to a center in Mahemyine. It is certainly one of my all time favorite top ten pictures from Pa-Auk. I am currently staying in Yangon at Varanasi learning monastery. There are many young samaneras here. I should snap some pictures before I leave. This was posted on Google+

Otoscope In The Monk's ClinicIt is always nice to see something that I arranged being used in the clinic as standard equipment.I am sure the donor of the clinic itself feels a hundred times better. Btw: An otoscope is the standard device doctors use to look inside your ears. I have never seen a general practitioner anywhere in Sri Lanka or Myanmar have one of these on his/her desk. Only a regular torch or flashlight is used to look inside the ears. The ENT specialist is the one to see if you wish to have an otoscope used.  This […]

This video was so good, I had to verify it was available on youtube before giving it to friendsA friend came here with this video predownloaded (as most downloads in Myanmar, with our connection speeds). It is absolutely one of the best videos on Myanmar, but only three minutes and forty-five seconds long 🙁 It is amazing what people can do these days and it feels so 3D too. Please Note: Fishing is considered unwholesome and wrong livelihood in Buddhism.  Myanmar (Burma) in 4k (Ultra HD) 60fps To view this video in 4K select “Original” in the resolution menu. […]

The Construction of Mettavihari Female Meditation HallI normally shrink the size of my posted pictures. However, I left this one as the original so you can play with it. Go ahead and zoom in and move around. The second picture is the finished product. Take note that concrete (the grey stuff) burns the skin on contact. The hall was designed by "Bobby," who ordained after the project's completion. He is now known as Venerable Pannyagavesaka almost ten years later.  This was posted on Google+

A classic picture of Pa-AukThe details of the photo dates it in 2008, but I think that was just the date of the picture cd because I have seen this made into a vinal poster before I left in 2007.A good chunk of those buildings and kuties were built by a single donor from Canada/China. This was posted on Google+

Oily food anyone?Pa-Auk Foreigners are prepared special foreigner food because the local food often looks like this. However, unknown to most foreigners, the local monks do not get much curry with their full scoop of rice. The curried oil is often used to flavor the rice ("meal" and "rice" are the same words in parts of Asia). It is similar to flavoring popcorn with butter. However, the Western eating style is to eat the curry as the meal and then the rice, often eaten separately. This is equivalent to eating a spoonful of butter and then a small amount of […]

I recently saw a usa ten dollar bill! It looks different from 1999. This was posted on Google+

A donor as the nuns resceive rice in Pa-Auk VillageA few times per year, as part of a tradition, the whole monastery goes to the village to collect raw rice. The monks are assisted by school children who act as helpers since monks are not allowed to touch food that will be used for a later date. The nuns are allowed to collect rice directly. The rice is later relinquished to the monastery. This was posted on Google+

Here is another picture of alms round in Intakkaw from last year.  This was posted on Google+