Young monk Soinam Gyaco (L) studies with friends at the Gonggar Qoide Monastery in Gonggar County of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Nov. 20, 2013. (Xinhua/Chogo)

Soinam Gyaco, 19, is the son of a farmer's family nearby the monastery. Driven by his Buddhist faith, he chose the life of a monk in Gonggar Qoide Monastery after finishing high school. As the youngest among the some 60 monks in the monastery, Soinam have to spend more time on sutras, the Tibetan canon and other knowledge than his fellow monks. His dream is to obtain a degree and become a sutra teacher of more young monks, who will then pray with him for the welfare of more people. At an altitude of 3598 meters, Gonggar Qoide is an important monasteries of the Sagya school of Tibetan Buddhism. However, life in the monastery is not easy. Apart from hours of studying, praying and chore, there is barely any kind of entertainment, such as TV and sports facilities. A good news for Soinam and his friends is that a basketball stand will be installed in the monastery next year.

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