Many Cambodian monks are in 'service' for a relatively short period of time. Eventually they will give up their robes for university or jobs in the tourist or even commercial sectors. Maybe it's because of this that it is just as common to see a young saffron clad man whip a ringing cell phone from beneath his robes, smoke a cigarette or drink a can of coke as it is to stand head bowed outside a cafe gate during morning alms collection. The rules for a Cambodian monk are simple but slightly different from the usual precepts. They are: no killing, no stealing, no sex, no alcohol or drugs, no lying, no eating after 12pm as it interfers with meditation and prayer, no perfume, no gambling, no sitting higher than a Senior Monk and no 'happiness for belongings'. Monks wear orange robes draped around them to distinguish their 'homelessness' from others, they shave their heads twice a month so as not to worry about style and they wear sandals for simplicity... which is the goal...the simplification of life. They certainly have a relaxed unharried aura about them.
This monk was walking past the 15 century Wat Ounalom on Riverside.
Super capture, so cool that you caught the monk approaching in the background. @bradsworld There are some native American petroglyphs and mortar stone sites in SoCal that predate the 15th century, inquiring minds want to know. :)
I love the composition. And all the information. I have to say I agree that there is a calmness to monks, and am always pleased to share space with them. :) Thank you for your comment. :)
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