Burmese Begging Monk 19th century Shan, Burma This small (6" tall) marble sculpture is from the Shan states of Burma (Myanmar). It dates from the 19th century and represents a monk with his begging bowl. There are still heavy traces of the original polychrome finish on this sweet piece. The symbolic meaning of the piece is that your bowl will never be empty. The Theraveda monks pass daily at dawn through the towns and villages where the lay people always put a little rice and other food in their bowls Photos | Asia Index