Thailand
has about 200,000 monks and 85,000 novices at most times of the
year. However, these numbers increase during the Buddhist ‘lent’ to
300,000 and 100,000 novices. Young boys may become novices at any
age. A man can remain a monk for as long as he wishes,
even for just one day. Three months is more usual, although some
choose to remain in monkhood for the rest of their lives.
There are over 29,000 temples in
Thailand and the daily routine of the monks in all of them is
pretty much the same...
4.00 am - The monks
wake up and meditate for one hour, followed by one hour of
chanting.
6.00 am - The monks walk barefoot around the neighbourhood while
the local people offer them food.
8.00 am - Returning to the temple, the monks sit together to
eat breakfast, then make a blessing for world peace.
Before 12.00
noon - Some monks choose to eat a light lunch at this time. This is
the last solid food they are allowed to consume until sunrise the
following morning.
