Monks at an ordination ceremony at Wat Benchamobophit, in Bangkok

A young aspirant in his ordination ceremony, Wat Benchamobophit

Monks emerging from the ordination ceremony with merit-making gifts

Monks at Wat Benchamobophit

A view within Wat Benchamobophit, Bangkok

In Sisaket, northeast Thailand: monks with their bowls, used to receive food or other offerings, following a tradition dating back to the Buddha himself

Thailand's monks emerge with their bowls every morning, sometimes before dawn.

Giving the monks offerings of food, flowers, or other necessities provides the faithful with an opportunity to make merit, and is so considered. Out of respect, followers remove their footwear, as the monks themselves are barefoot on their morning rounds.

At this gathering of monks from a number of temples in the Sisaket area, people brought an abundant variety of dishes to eat—a way of making merit. Wat Leab, Sisaket

A young monk giving blessings to followers who have just made donations to the temple. Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, in Nan, in the north of Thailand

Monk at Wat Bupparam, Chiang Mai

Making merit with lotus-bud and incense offerings at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, a temple whose origins date to the late 14th century

More merit-making, here with candles and garlands of flowers. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, in Lampang, northern Thailand

Monk at Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai

Young novices at Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai

Monks in the ordination hall at Wat Ko Keo Suttharam, Petchaburi. The temple's extraordinary murals, depicting episodes from the life of the Buddha, date from 1734.

Reminiscent of an earlier era when rivers and canals were primary travel routes in Thailand, some monks at Samut Songkram, on the Mae Klong river near Bangkok, make their morning rounds by boat, stopping at landings to allow the faithful to make merit with their offerings.

A newly ordained monk emerges from his ordination ceremony at Wat Phra Pathom, in Nakhon Pathom, west of Bangkok.

Little monks at Wat Phan Tao, Ching Mai

Little monks taking a break from their studies and chores. Wat Jong Soong, near Mae Hong Song in Thailand's far north

Watching a teaching video about the dhamma. Wat Hua Wiang, Mae Hong Song

Young monks at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Congregants and monks before the magnificent 14th-century Sri Sakyamuni Buddha at Wat Suthat, Bangkok. Rama I brought this Buddha from its original home in Sukhothai, ordering that the temple be built in part to house this image in his new capital at Bangkok.

Monk making merit at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

"Jack," a monk at Wat Sai Moon Muang, Chiang Mai

Blind monk offering a benediction at Wat Thapo, Rasi Salai, Sisaket Province

Monks chanting verses from the scriptures. Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai

Monk and followers, Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai

Novice monks studying at Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai

Naret, a friendly young monk at Wat Pantong, Chiang Mai

Another friendly monk, at Wat Phra That Rueang Rong, Sisaket

Monks at an ATM in Bangkok, cell phone to an ear

A crush of worshippers on Chinese New Year’s Day at Wat Phanan Choeng, Ayutthaya, a temple with historical ties to China and one much favored by Thais of Chinese descent

Monks offering a reverential wai to the temple's venerable stupa, believed to contain a breastbone of the Buddha, at Wat Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom, northeast Thailand

Ascending the 300 steps at the entrance to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Little monks at Wat Borom Chaiya in Surat Thani, southern Thailand

Breakfast time for a group of young monks at Wat Dab Phai, Chiang Mai. Monks may eat only two meals a day, with no food allowed after noon.

Congregants at Wat Luang, a royal temple in Sisaket, northeast Thailand

The abbot of Wat Luang in Sisaket receiving offerings passed along to him by one of the monks from the temple

Young novices having breakfast at Wat Luang, Sisaket

Two pals in conversation at Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Sisaket Province