(IPS) feature

''It was my own choice when I was 12,'' recalled 17-year-old Nehn Aud of his becoming a novice monk in Thailand. "But only because I couldn't think of any other way out of my desperate situation except by becoming a novice.''

He is from a small village of 300 people in Buriram, a north-eastern province 410km from the capital Bangkok, whose residents were only barely surviving.

''My family, which was just my father and I, was worse off than most. We could not afford any food so I often survived just by eating lizards, rats, ant's eggs and insects or just anything I could catch,'' he said.

''We did not have money for school, the only clothes I had were old ones that I begged from my friends,'' added Nehn Aud, whose story is one of 12 documented in a book on the lives of novice monks published recently in this mainly Buddhist country.

The stories in Little Angels give a not-so-often glimpse into the lives of novices  a few are serious in their practice, some are very badly behaved, and the majority, like himself, are somewhere in between.

''This great connection between community and monastery should be fully supported by everyone,'' said Suwatchara. ''Participation, as lay people, need not come only as donations, which most Thais normally do, but also in exchanging words that can always make the Sangha (community) better.''

Novices usually study during the week. Apart from walking on the dawn alms round and attending morning and evening services, they have their own duties, such as keeping the monastery grounds swept or preparing candles and incense for ceremonies. Their schedules can be full from 5am to 11pm.

Many novices usually disrobe after six years of high school studies at the monastery schools. Some return to their villages, others look for jobs in the cities. An ambitious few, if they can find money or obtain ascholarship, pursue further studies.

''I want to be a teacher,'' said Nehn Phisarn, who enjoys teaching classes of Dhamma (the Buddha's teachings) and basic Pali (language) to the young or new novices. He has since left the monkhood and is studying for an education degree.

Among the novices, says Phra Peter's book, are the very few like Nehn Bancha, who want to practise the Buddha's teachings for the rest of their lives. He says he would like to help a monastery that takes care of poor, abused children.

Said Nehn Bancha: ''Life has taught me about Dukkha, suffering, but the Buddha has taught me about love and compassion and how to overcome suffering. That's something I think I can pass on to those unhappy children.''