lynsey addario, photographer

Bhutan

Three lay monks from eastern Bhutan rest in the Homing Ngayab Choling Zangtopelri Monastery, a private monastery, in Punakha, western Bhutan, May 10, 2007. Lay monks are monks who are not necessarily monks for life, may leave the monastery and marry after some time. Within the Monasteries that line the countryside throughout Bhutan, young monks are taught Bhuddist studies, manners, and basic home skills among their studies and prayers. traditionally in Bhutan, families used to send one child per family to the monastery, though now it is up to the individual family to decide whether they would like to send a child.
Punakha, Bhutan
Three lay monks from eastern Bhutan rest in the Homing Ngayab Choling Zangtopelri Monastery, a private monastery, in Punakha, western Bhutan, May 10, 2007. Lay monks are monks who are not necessarily monks for life, may leave the monastery and marry after some time. Within the Monasteries that line the countryside throughout Bhutan, young monks are taught Bhuddist studies, manners, and basic home skills among their studies and prayers. traditionally in Bhutan, families used to send one child per family to the monastery, though now it is up to the individual family to decide whether they would like to send a child.