3-077-957 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in Burmah: Buddhist monastery - Phoongyees returning with alms begged for their morning meal, 1890. 'Among the many quaint and curious features in Burmese native life, the "Phoongyees," or Buddhist monks, soon attract the attention of European visitors on their arrival in the country. These monks wear a yellow robe, have to beg their food day by day, and may not marry. Any phoongyee is at liberty to go back to the world, if he so desires; but few of the regular monks do so. Every good Burmese has generally, in boyhood or early manhood, to pass a novitiate in a monastery for a period which may vary from a day to many months. He then goes back to his ordinary vocations in the world; or else, if the life suits him, becomes a phoongyee. The kyoungs, or monastic dwellings, are usually fine large wooden buildings, adorned with beautiful carving: occasionally they are built of brick. There are several kyoungs in the enclosure of a monastery, with sometimes a pagoda or two. Here reside a number of phoongyees, novices, and schoolboys, taught by the monks; for the monasteries are the only schools in the country. Our Illustrations are from photographs by Surgeon Arthur G. E. Newland, of the Indian Medical Service'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.