In 1986, I photographed young monks from Sera Monastery outside their living quarters, capturing both the camaraderie and discipline of monastic life. I arranged each monk to shape the composition, and their expressions reflect curiosity, concentration, and youthful solemnity.

At the time, access to monastic life was highly restricted, making moments like this a rare glimpse into a world shaped by ritual, community, and tradition. The aged walls behind them speak to the monastery’s centuries-old customs, while the monks themselves represent a new generation carrying those teachings forward. The photograph captures a moment of tranquility and continuity at a place devoted to spiritual education.