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I chose Sherap for a few reasons.

To be Honest at the start I was not very intrested but the more i read about his story and the more i looked at the pictures I started to get pulle in and intriqued.

The first one is because i wanted to know more about monks.

The second reaseon is because ythe more you look at his room the more details you can find.

And thirdly I heard BHuddist Monks have very strict rules and i wanted to see what a child thinks about them. Are the rules to strict. Would he like to ignore them and break free from this lifestyle or does he enjoy this discipline.

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I see

White walls

Some marks on the wall

A wooden bunk bed

A second bunk bed behind it

A wooden ladder

A green striped matress

A few douvets or covers on the matress

A pile of blankets on the edge of the bed

A window nextt to the bed

Metal bars outside the window

Some clothes on the windowsill

Blue shirts with yellow collars hanging from the top bunks

Two silver footballs under the matress

A colofull ribbon hanging down the top bunk

Some doodles etched on the top bunk

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I think

I think the metals bars outside the window are there to prevent children from falling out the window

I think it is cold at night

I think he likes football

I think he is bored

I think he sleeps with many other monks in his room

I think the room is very big

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I wonder

I wonder if he likes football

I wonder if he is allowed to play football

I wonder if he hiding the ball

I wonder if he owns the ball

I wonder who gave him this ball

I wonder if he is cold at night

I wonder if the blue shirts are uniforms

I wonder if they are uniforms to study

I wonder if he is bored

I wonder if he likes being a monk

I wonder if he want to become a monk when hes older

I wonder if being a young monk is hard

I wonder if hes tired

I wonder why there are some bars outside the window

I wonder if the bars are there to protect the children

I wonder if the bars are there to keep the children in

I wonder if anyone ever escaped the monastery

I wonder if anyone ever comitted suicide out the window

I wonder if he misses his parents

I wonder if he is mad at them for sending him in this monastery

I wonder if the parents loved him

I wonder if the parent didn't have enough money to raise him

I wonder if he can wear his own clothes

I wonder if he owns clothes

I wonder if he wants to escape the monastery

I wonder if he sleeps well

I wonder if he is happy

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I see

I see a young kid

A red monk robe

He is bald

Some cuts on his face (cheek and forhead)

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I think

I think he is wearing the traditional monk dress

I think he was forced to cut his hair bald

I think hes worried

I think his cuts are from training martial arts

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I wonder

I wonder if he likes being bald

I wonder if he had hair before

I wonder if he prefers being bald or with hair

I wonder if he is cold in those clothes

I wonder if he is worried

I wonder what is bothering him

I wonder if the cuts hurt him

I wonder if the cuts are volountary

I wonder if he cut himself

I wonder if he got them from training

I wonder if he wants to be there with the fotographer

I wonder if hes shy

I wonder if he has ever been fotographed

I wonder if he knows his story will end up in a book

I wonder if hes happy

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I see

I see a ten year old boy

I see he lives in a bhuddist monastery

I see he lives in Khatmandu (Tibet)

I see he shares a room with 80 other kids

I see he trains to be a monk

I see he has very few possesions

I see he has to get up early in the morning

I see he looks up to his teacher

I see he dreams of teaching martial arts

I see his parents are in economical strugle

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I think

I think he likes where he lives

I think he likes amrtial arts

I think its his favourite subject in the monastery

I think he is tired

I think i think hes bhuddist

I think he doesnt sleep well

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I wonder

I wonder if he likes his roommates

I wonder if he sleeps well

I wonder if hes cold at night

I wonder if he knows the real reason why he got sent there

I wonder if his parents live better now

I wonder if he likes what he eats every day

I wonder if hes hungry

I wonder if he also thinks its good luck to go to a monastery

I wonder if he use to live in khatmandu, the city where the monastery is,

I wonder how much he likes about his day

I wonder if he ever gets bored

I wonder if he does the same thing every day.

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Tibet is a small landlocked region in eastern Asia borderd by China to the north, Myanmar and Bhutan in the south and India and nepal to the west. With most People thinking it is a country, Recently it has fallen in the hands of the Chinese government becoming an indipendant region. With a population of 3.6 million people and a surface area of 1.3 million km2, it has over 7000 monasteries. Known for the Himalayas (the highest mountain range in the world) it is home to the highest mountain in the world: Mt. Everest (8848m). This Nation has an average altitude of 4400m which makes it one of the highest countries in the world.

The temperature in tibet is glacial ranging from -10°C to -20°C. This is because of its extreme altitude and geographic placement.

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A bhuddist monastery is a residential, spiritual and religious structure for bhuddist monks where they live, train, pray, study and practuce their faith. Equipped with shared quarters, private rooms, meditation halls, temples and study areas, it is where monks will spend their whole life. Bhuddism is a very popular religion in Asia so many monasteries are situated in eastern and southern Asia.

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Bhuddist monks typically wear a robe made out of mutlipe cloth pieces sewn together. The colors and design vary from country or region. In Sheraps case, Tibetan monks wear a maroon or burgundy robe valled a Vajrayāna. These clothes are ment to be simple and humble to emphasize humility and detachment

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Bhuddist monks always keep a shaved head for various reasons.

1. First of all it is a symbol of renunciation, a way to let go of their ego, vanity and external apperance

2. Second, it is a way to show equality and unity. Everyone looks the same no matter of their background.

3. And Finally it is a more practical. It reduces distractions, it is more hygenic and easier to mantain.

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1. Early Morning Wake-Up.
Monks weak up before sunrise, often around 4–5 AM, to begin their day with chanting, prayers, and meditation.

2. Pindapata. In Thailand and Myanmar, monks walk silently through nearby communities to receive food offerings from laypeople. This practice nurtures humility and reinforces the mutual relationship between monastics and the lay community.

3. Morning Chanting and Meditation
After Pindapata, monks participate in group chanting—reciting Buddhist texts or mantras—and engage in silent meditation.

4. Study and Teaching
Monks take time to study Buddhist scriptures, philosophy, and ethics. More experienced monks may teach novices or give talks to visiting laypeople about the Dharma (Buddhist teachings).

5. Monastery Duties (Chores)
Tasks such as sweeping, cleaning, gardening, cooking, and maintaining the temple grounds are mandatory.

6. Meals (Before Noon)
Monks may eat two meals in the morning but it is prohibited to eat in the afternoon or evening.

7. Afternoon Meditation or Study
Afternoons are often used for further meditation seated or walking as well as continued study or quiet contemplation.

8. Evening Chanting and Meditation
As the day comes to an end, monks gather for more chanting and meditation.

9. Sleep
Monk often go to sleep early (around 9pm) to make sure that every day they are full of energy and well rested.

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Bhuddist monks sleep in very simple places inside monasteries. Depending on the country they are in, age or phisical state they sleep in shared quarters or single rooms.

Single rooms

These places are very plane and quiet only containing the essential. Monks sleep on a thin matress with one pillow and one blanket. Small and minimalist private rooms often don't have furniture, if they do it is usualy a low table to hold sacred text, small bhudda statues or scripts. The walls are blank without decoration. The only pieces on the wall are religious pictures of Bhudda or simple scrolls. A window is used as a source of lght during the day and at night monks may dispose of a small lamp.

Shared rooms

The rest of the monks sleep in shared rooms. Like sherap, people sleeping here don't have a lot of space and own very few objects. Their bed is composed by a thin wool matress and a pillow. Typically these rooms can fit between 20 to 50 individuals. Similar to the single rooms, the rooms are quiet peacefull and clean to help monks focus on their religion and faith.

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Economical struggles

Tibet is a poor and developing region but surprisingly the government affirms it is absolutely free of poverty. Most workers in this part of China make less than 100 Usd a year.

With this salary families can barely afford basic foods like fruits and vegetables. With a GDP of 47 billion it is vastly depending on agriculture and tourism. Agriculture, the main source of income, makes over 70 % of tibets GDP witht he rest being a mix of tourism and other activities. Although Tibet is rich in precious ores, the lack of transportation and poor organisation makes it almost impossible to extract from the tibetan plateau. Gold, Copper, Iron, Lithium, Lead and Zinc are just a few between hundreds. It is also the country which holds the fost freshwater in asia. Often called the "Water tower of Asia" Tibets glaciers hold 38% of Asia's freshwater. It is also called that way because it is the source of the biggest rivers in Asia. The yellow river, Mekong Yangtze, Brahmaputra, and Indus all start from this region.

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Can young monks play?

Yes after lunch from 12 to 2 pm.

Popular games in Tibet

1. Sho
A traditional Tibetan dice game played with small pieces and dice on a specially marked board. It combines elements of strategy and luck and is often played in social gatherings.

2. Tug of War
Known in local culture during festivals and school events, this game tests strength and teamwork as two groups pull on opposite ends of a rope.

3. Yak Chase (Role Play)
A playful imitation of herding or chasing yaks, where one child pretends to be the yak and others take the role of herders, mimicking traditional pastoral life.

4. Knuckle-Bone Game (རྐང་རིལ་རྩེད་མོ།)
Played using the ankle bones of sheep or goats, children flick or throw them in specific patterns, similar to jacks or dice games in other cultures

5. Tag
A universal game where one child chases others to "tag" them. Tibetan variations include roles with animal or spiritual themes

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Mahanayaka: Head of religion

Abbot: In charge of the monastery

Shīfu: Teacher/ master

Spiritual guide: (Depends on the country) Tibet= Dalai Lama, Japan= Sensei

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Talking to the Lama( head of the monastery)

Inside the lama's room, traditional buddhist objects in display( masks, horns, statues)

Morning right after waking up ( 4.30 am)

I come to speak to you today because I have something to tell you

Something that I’ve been holding in for months, something that is keeping me awake at night and doesn’t let me rest.

I miss the outside

I miss the hills and the valleys

I miss my family, My friends

I miss playing

I miss being A child

My life in these couple years has been a peaceful mess, trying to fit in this community where everything seems so organised and clear while there is only chaos is my mind. My creativity is blossoming yet everyone tells me to sit still in silence.

But before I become a monk I need to become myself.I know this is supposed to be a blessing for me and my family, but i don't think it is the right place for me yet. I don't want to leave the monastery forever, I just want to go live like a child, go play like a child, be a child. Experience life and come back as a wiser man.

I try to adapt to this life but I dont think I’m wise enough to understand, why can’t i leave, why can’t I go play with other kids, why do I have to stay silent during meditation, why is every day the same, Why does the great Buddha never answer me when I pray to him begging to let me free. Today I woke up before the sun but I still don’t know why.

Please understand Lama, Help me Do the right choice.

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Lama… I need to tell you something.

I know I’m supposed to be grateful.

I know this robe is a blessing.

I know people outside these walls would give anything to be in my place .

But still… it hurts. It hurts to sit in silence while I can hear kis playing outsie the monastery.

It hurts to smile when I don’t even know why I’m sad. It hurts to watch the world through a window and pretend I don’t miss it.

I miss running. I miss falling. I miss laughing so hard I can’t breathe. I miss my name — not the one they chant in prayers.

You say I’m lucky. That I’m on the path. That this life will lead me to peace. But Lama… I’m ten. What if I’m not ready for peace yet? What if I still need chaos?

What if I still want scraped knees and… And wrestling in the mud  and yelling just to hear my own voice echo back?

I don’t want to leave the monastery. Not forever. I just want to live first. Just for a little while. Because right now? I feel like I’m folding myself up smaller and smaller, trying to fit into something I don’t understand yet. And I’m scared that one day, I’ll disappear — and you’ll call that enlightenment.

But it won’t be. It’ll just be a boy who never got to be a boy. (He looks away. Then softly, almost to himself.)

It hurts , Lama.