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flowsnow | all galleries >> Expressions >> A Picture Paints A Thousand Words: Episode II > Monk In China Town
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20-MAY-2007 Pretty Petals

Monk In China Town

China Town, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In Asian countries you see monks begging in the streets as a sign of humility. In Thailand, the monks beg in the streets, walk barefoot, and clothe themselves in their monk garb. Despite their appearances, they command respect above all in their society, with the exception of the king and royal family. I spotted this monk begging in the street of China Town this afternoon. He wore the typical orange robe, held a black wooden bowl containing the money given to him by the public and was barefooted. He stood there looking kind of lost in the crowd, looking here and there. Vehicles were on the road and people just walk passed him as though he didn't exist. At one point he seemed not to fit in that space. I thought to myself and wondered if his act was a genuine one, since it's not often we see monks on the streets begging what more in China Town. You tell me.....what you think.

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carol j. phipps25-Jun-2008 12:02
His face tells the story! Monk??? V
Guest 28-May-2007 22:55
The sign next to his head is a masterstroke...he has got a prize on his head! First of all he is "begging" at the wrong time of the day (stores in Chinatown do not open early in the morning)and secondly monks do not beg for money in the streets. The monks that I see in Thailand only collects food in the morning. A definite scam. But then that's not what this image is all about. It is about a "monk" that is out of place, out of his place of comfort (hence the growl) and out of favour (hence the turned backs). For that you have done beautifully, Tricia. V!
Jay Levin23-May-2007 17:13
This is a fascinating and apparently controversial image, Tricia. I would only note that he might want you to take three photographs of him. The sign above his head says 3 for 25! V
Terri Steele22-May-2007 18:56
Tis an excellent photograph, and your comments as well as the bizarre expression do cause one to pause and wonder...
1moremile22-May-2007 00:23
I think Cindi has a point. He probably wants to be compensated for this photo. He does not look very happy at all. I am wondering, half joking, if he has a quota and hasn't met it yet. v.
Steve Highfield21-May-2007 22:05
Certainly a fascinating shot, and I ponder to think of the reasons for his expression
since reading the last two comments. +V for the shot as is.
Guest 21-May-2007 16:59
I suggest if you see this kind of monk in town, report to police to catch them to police station. Then they will be question which monastery or temple they are coming from. All real monk have a registration of their renunciation id. Those non-real scrupuluous monk shall be out from our sight. They only come to damage the people perception of the real monk.
Guest 21-May-2007 16:51
The monk look suspicious and of course suspicious who is this photographer and what the photographer going to do with this photo. A real Theravada monk when wearing the rope, only put one side of the shoulder is cover. The color of the real monk rope is deeper orange not this light color. A real monk don't take money. They come to beg food not money. Just beware of that !
flowsnow21-May-2007 16:37
Roger, Thanks for the great insight of photographing monks in Thailand. Wow! I didn't know it was a taboo to do that! I photographed tonnes of monks shots when I was in Angkor Wat as it was the highlight during the visit. Funny I really like this particular shot as it was the only one I caught of him looking at me, while the rest he was facing sideways, almost like avoiding confronting the camera.
Roger LeBlanc Photography21-May-2007 16:14
the look is definitely one of frown! when I was in Thailand we were told that it is okay to photograph the monks as long as they are unaware and that women should not talk to them. This may be a double wammy considering you are a woman and he is aware of your capture. Please correct me if these concepts are false1
...my gut feeling though is that he is not genuine and he was ticked you caught him in the act!
Dr. Michael G. Mathews21-May-2007 14:55
Great "in the moment" shot. I ask the same question whether that expression on his face was fleeting and only because you snapped a shot or if it was his expression the whole time you were observing. Great street shot for sure. Excellent image!
Marcia Colelli21-May-2007 13:14
wonderful street photography and nice story behind it V
Vincent Belford21-May-2007 11:30
is that a serene look on his face lol yes a fraction of a second but you got it and chose to show it - i think he looks more quizical than anything great get !
Sam_C21-May-2007 08:19
I'm back a day later, and look at ALL these comments!! Wow! Anyway, to keep it
short, I think this monk gave you a face because you "got him" ...great shot!! :-)
Char20-May-2007 23:33
Hi Tricia,
A really excellent shot!! \/
Nestor Derkach20-May-2007 20:18
Great image , but is that look intended for the photograper?
Nice resolution and interesting subject !!
Vote
flowsnow20-May-2007 18:19
Phil,
I am beginning to enjoy this journey of interpreting an image for what it is. Very interesting to see how different people see things. Mainly through interpretation of facial expression. I have other shots of him but I thought this was the most striking as he was looking at my direction. Ah..yes it was just a split second of my shutter to capture this expression, the very next second he could be otherwise (as Fong said). Again so many stories made up with a just a simple shot of a monk standing in the middle of China Town.
Phil Douglis20-May-2007 18:06
There are several incongruities in this image, Tricia -- the monk is the only figure garbed in robes. All others wear contemporary clothing. The monk is the only person addressing the viewer. All others turn away. The background is a market rich in hard-sell, the very opposite of Buddhist culture. And finally, we are used to seeing monk's with more kindly expressions that this man offers. I don't see him as begging -- I see him as expressing a touch of anger or impatience at being the subject of your photograph. You are right -- he does not belong in this space. He is out of his normal context, and that is what gives this image its story telling qualities.
Galina Stepanova20-May-2007 15:51
Interesting comtradiction.
Great moment, expression, and background.
Zaid Kurdi20-May-2007 15:45
Amazing shot and text,well done,Voted :)
CIS20-May-2007 15:27
Takuhatsu and begging have different meanings/intentions.
It's a religious gesture, an activity of prayer for the benefit of society to express full trust in life...not to be dependent upon society but rather teaching not to be dependent on anything/to share everything, accepting what comes our way. To be generous, humble, resisting the acquisition of goods, ego and to have the courage to be fully visible in practice.

Unfortunately in this modern day world there are a lot of problems with fakers and frauds which has become a serious problem...so the practice is not acceptable in many places/countries any longer.
Guest 20-May-2007 14:36
If you want to take an image of me I will certainy look the same way, haha,I hate camera's.
Fong Lam20-May-2007 14:26
Don't put too much emphasis on his expression which was frozen in just a fraction of a second. Who knows, he may be smiling immediately just after this shot. Nice candid capture, though. ~V~
flowsnow20-May-2007 13:56
Ken, funny that you mention about the `sign' above the monk's head. My husband also shared the same sentiment about that for it being the `highlight' of this shot. Funny isn't it to see how people perceive from a picture.....this is exactly what I wish to steer people into seeing a shot.
Vince20-May-2007 13:55
Looks to me that he doesn't like being shot at Tricia:). I still love the expression. Vote.
Guest 20-May-2007 13:24
He has a very menacing expression for a monk. Excellent shot! v.
Ken McColl20-May-2007 13:11
Interesting one..I live in Bangkok and the monks as you say will go around IN THE MORNING on their daily alms round..I have only ever seen one 'monk' begging in Thailand ..and he was alone and in a Falang tourist area..I suspect that guy was working a scam. As for this bloke in Malaysia..I dont know. Love the image..really shows an incongruity (as Phil would say) as he does not look as though he is fitting in...but the master stroke is the sign above his head.
KMc
Cindi Smith20-May-2007 13:08
I'm thinking he wants you to give him money for the picture you just took. Great capture...and run, Tricia, run! He may throw something at you!
Katie Chew20-May-2007 13:08
Great shot. V
Ali Majdfar20-May-2007 12:31
Stunning shot. GMV
Wei O'Connell20-May-2007 12:28
Great shot. Really like the colors. v
Guest 20-May-2007 11:55
Really special! V
Martha Albuquerque20-May-2007 11:30
great shot, Tricia.. ~V~
marie-jose wolff20-May-2007 10:45
beautiful portrait!
I like his expression,he looks a little annoyed.
flowsnow20-May-2007 10:20
Thanks Malcolm for sharing your thoughts about this shot. I am trying to steer people to look at a picture more than a glimpse. I really like the way you see the monk......and it has already made me rethink of what I have thought of him.
Andrew Vincent20-May-2007 10:19
He has a great scowl.... must be religious! VOTE!
QUERIDO20-May-2007 09:58
Beautiful shot, vote
malcolm haslam20-May-2007 09:10
If negation of self is one of the achievements of a monk....then one would expect people to walk past him without seeing...because HE isn't there. HE doesn't exist.
However, he does appear to have a self-concious expression, which makes one ask the question....does he need to learn more about humility?
Great photo....I love the way that all the passers-by have their backs to him....
Paco López20-May-2007 07:14
Great capture, Tricia!!!! I love the colours. Vote!
Sue Robertson20-May-2007 07:05
Oh yes he does look a little peeved!. Great street photography.
12320-May-2007 07:03
He seems less than thrilled w/ your picture taking. That looks like a stern stare.
Great image though.
Sam_C20-May-2007 06:14
Great street capture, love his expression! V :-)