Photo and caption by Josh Ramsay

I met this young monk at the Ta Prohm temple in Cambodia. In the shade of one of the giant trees now overtaking the ancient temple, he began to reveal his story. Now in his early twenties, he had spent the majority of his life as a novice monk. At the age of one his father abruptly passed away. Too poor and unable to take care of him, his mother sent him to a Buddhist monastery when he was six to receive an education. He had recently fallen in love, but his religious practices would not allow him to be with a woman. Torn between his religious commitments and the pursuit love a new day awaits.

Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia