Burma-Myanmar: Buddhist monks eating their only meal of the day, before noon at the May...

Buddhist monks collect alms - food prepared by devotees and laypersons who make merit by donating it - every morning in Burma and most Theravada Buddhist countries. This is their only food for the day. Monks do not eat after 12 noon. Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sonna and Uttara, two ambassadors of the Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with sacred texts. However, the golden era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.