Every morning the monks attached to a wat (pagoda) go out on the street to beg food and alms for the people they help and for themselves. They follow predetermined routes through a neighborhood, going up to a house or place of business and standing silently in front of the shop, hoping that the occupant will give them an offering of rice or money. They don’t knock on the door or announce their presence, and if there is no response after a minute or so, they move to the next house or shop.
