A day in life of first year monks

Last fall I, Debra Ann (Director of Himalayan Children Foundation in US) had the wonderful privilege of spending time with the young monks living at Pullahari Drubkhang Monastery in Bihar, India. Located near the site of the ancient Nalanda University, the monastery is a small and peaceful place for new monks to begin their training. Instructed by senior monks in conduct and monastic educations, a typical day includes, morning assembly, reading and recitation, writing, puja and meditation practice, drawing and chores. Once a certain level of proficiency is achieved in reading and writing, the monks return to Nepal and join either Shree Mangal Dvip (SMD) or SMD Branch School to continue their education. A special moment was shared around a small bonfire: the monks sang the VVI song, we sang the lineage prayer together, and then they shared their drawing books. Each boy also gave me a gift - one of their drawings. It was a serene and loving atmosphere.