Until this term I have never taught a monk before. It takes some getting used to.
He sits aloof from the rest of the class which is never good for classroom cohesion.
He sits aloof from the rest of the class which is never good for classroom cohesion. Many of the students have no idea how to relate to him. Some of the females are afraid to engage him in conversation whilst a few of the boys are more comfortable. That's not surprising because there is a more strict protocol in a woman-meets-monk situation.
There isn't any great respect shown- which has surprised me- more the relationship is one where everyone bumbles around not knowing quite what to say.
No different than if you threw a vicar into a classroom of young adults, I suppose.
As a female teacher I'm not sure how I would go about teaching a monk...I move about the classroom a lot and often approach students face on to extract an answer from them.
ReplyDeleteA difficult situation.
Having been brought up Catholic, I'm sure the vicar (within minutes) would be interacting with the rest of the class - since their job is to find new recruits. : )
Unless it's a situation like 'monk chat' I tend to look at the ground and give right of way to monks, for fear of making them feel uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier when they strike up a conversation with Stray, then I can silently participate.
Monk chat:
ReplyDeleteHow does that work?
What is it like?
It has been interesting watch the number of monks in Phnom Penh steadily grow.
Ten years ago there weren't many too be seen at all. Shows the religion in full revival after the persecutions.
'The Khmer Rouge could not allow so powerful an institution to stand and therefore set out with vigor to destroy it. They exterminated all leading monks and either murdered or defrocked the lesser ones. One estimate is that out of 40,000 to 60,000 monks only 800 to 1,000 survived to carry on their religion.'
~Wikipedia
Phillip, I've only been twice. Once in 2005, at a Chiang Mai wat, where I had to sit and listen only, from a nearby table...couldn't sit with the monks back then.
ReplyDeleteThen again last year at Wat Suan Dok. Monks are available twice a week for a few hours for you to ask questions, practice your Thai or for them to practice their English...they even have a website :) http://www.monkchat.net/