A day in the life of a monk

Yesterday I discussed the political upheaval and killing that went on in Cambodia. This occurred in 1975 to 1979. It was called pol pot. It stood for political potential. We in America know it as the killing fields.

This morning Mikey does what he does every day. What a great service to get clean clothes every day. Something to take back to America.

Then our morning gitty up and wait.

Today we are on the green bus.

Here is our new guide. His name is Tek.

During our bus ride we stopped at a Happy Room for those that needed to use it before reaching the monastery. At the stop they were selling some silk worms and crickets done in the Kentucky fried chicken style.

Tek told us about being a monk. There are over 5,000 monasteries in the country. All boys need to spend one year as a monk. There they study Buddhism. Buddhism started about 500 years before Christ.

There are about 77,000 monks in the country. Buddha means enlightenment. Pain and suffering is the result of selfish desire. You eliminate selfish desire and you eliminate pain and suffering.

Here is the building where the monks greet visitors.

Here is the Princess and the Captain. She told me I don’t have to be a monk! I was happy!

There are ten steps to achieve full enlightenment in Buddhism. The first five steps are practicing no stealing, no killing, no lies, no adultery, and no intoxication. You need to live by this five to be a first level Buddhist.

Here are the ladies posing by the temple.

Then we went in and saw the Buddha and the monks.

Here are the monks.

Here are the monks doing a chant which is a blessing to us.

Here is the Princess and me with the monks. It is the closest I will ever get to being one.

Outside you could see the grounds of the monastery.

As we watched the monks went to lunch. They are allowed to eat twice a day. Breakfast and lunch. If you are late, after noon for lunch, you have to wait until the next day for your next meal.

Here is the head of the monastery and his home.

Another Buddha at the end of the garden.

Then as we were leaving here was a statue of a lady who saved Buddha from evil, symbolised by the crock.

After lunch and a two hour power rest, we ventured out into the city on a Tuk Tuk.

If you have never been on a Tuk Tuk, here you go.

Then we went to another hill, 90 steps, and some beautiful Buddhas.

For dinner Marky Mark arranged for us to go to a restaurant in town. It was called Wild. They served drinks, I had a James Bond, and many kinds of spring rolls. Here is the group at dinner.

Then it was on to the highest point in town. The Sky Bar!

Finally we took a night to in the city via Tuk Tuk.

It was a great day and the evening made it special.

See you in the morning.