Kyan Sit Thar Umin Monastery

Young orphans @ Kyan Sit Thar Umin Orphanage Monastery - Bagan, Myanmar — Young orphans @ Kyan Sit Thar Umin Monastery – Bagan, Myanmar

Studying to become a buddhist monk

This monastery is located right next to Kyan Sit That Umin temple, also known as the cave temple, a rather secluded temple located in the Nyaung U area of what is colloquially called Bagan. A number of the young novices attending the monastery are in fact orphans. There is a big controversy with what is called “Orphan Tourism” in South East Asia and around the world, but this place is not like that. It is only a monastery, funded by donations, and providing shelter and an education to these kids. You cannot “volunteer” to go and work there, unless of course you wish to become a buddhist monk 🙂

Anyway that being said, I hope you enjoy the images below…