Mahagandayon Monastery, February 2014
Our driver and guide took us to the Mahagandayon Monastery to see the Monks having breakfast. The Mahagandayon Monastery, which located in Amarapura, is one of the largest teaching monasteries in Myanmar. The monastery is located on the west shore of Taung Tha Man Lake and the west side of the famous U Bein Bridge. If you visit the bridge you will see the monks crossing back and forth. On the east side of the bridge is Yadanarbon University. It is a fascinating sight, but I didn't realize quite how many tourists would be there. I get the imoression that the monks don't mind the visitors as long as they are respectful. Sadly, some people are not.
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These kids were sitting on the curb an the entrance to the monastery.
They perked up when they saw me taking their picture.
Map of the Mahagandayon Monastery.
Monks about to line up for their morning meal.
Young monks in line for their morning meal.
Note the tourists in the background, it's really a bit too much.
There must be over a thousand monks.
Young monk waiting.
At least someone is happy.
Young monk at breakfast.
Monk serving.
Young monks eating.
Pots drying.
The cat is "helping."
The monks clean their own bowls.
Clean up time.
Shoes off in the temple!
A study area.
It takes a lot of prep work to feed all these monks.
Man chopping carrots.
This man was cooking up something in a massive bowl.
I think just stirring all this is a good workout.
The rules.