ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Monastic schools in Myanmar

In Myanmar, there are some schools called "monastic schools," which are run by Buddhist monks. Monks are men who have devoted their lives to studying and practicing Buddhism, which is a religion that originated in ancient India.

In these schools, young boys, usually between the ages of 7 and 12, go to study and live with the monks. The boys' parents might send them to these schools because they cannot afford to send them to other schools or because they want their children to learn about Buddhism.

The daily life in a monastic school is different from what you might be used to in a regular school. The boys wake up very early in the morning and spend a lot of time meditating and chanting, which means singing or reciting passages from Buddhist scriptures. They also have to do chores, like cleaning and cooking.

In the monastic schools, the boys learn about basic subjects like math, science, and language. But they also learn a lot about Buddhism. They learn about things like the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist beliefs. They may also learn about Buddhist history and culture.

One important aspect of being a monk is learning to be disciplined and respectful. So the boys in monastic schools are expected to behave very well and not misbehave, talk back to elders or fight with other students.

Overall, these monastic schools provide a unique and spiritual education to young boys who may not have access to other types of schooling. They also contribute to preserving the traditions of Buddhism and the practice of monk-hood in Myanmar.