Young monks are seen at their school inside Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. High in the Indian Himalayas, young novice monks in maroon robes take their lessons inside the 15th-century Thiksey monastery. Buddhist monasteries in the mountain desert, which forms a part of troubled Jammu and Kashmir state and borders both China and Pakistan, are a reminder of the region's ties to its eastern neighbour, Tibet. Ethnic Tibetans fled across the border after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959 and live in so-called “Little Tibets” in north and south India. Most Tibetan families in India send at least one child to a monastery to learn about their own culture, language and religion. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





Young monks study at their school inside Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





A Maitreya Buddha is seen at Thiskey Monastery near the town of Leh in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





A young Buddhist monk stands inside Thiksey monastery, Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





A young monk runs during a break from his studies inside Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





A young monk plays during a break from his studies inside Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





Shanti Stupa, which contains the relics of the Buddha, stands on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, India September 24, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





A young monk takes a break from his studies at Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





Prayer flags fly at Namgyal Tsemo Monastery above the town of Leh in Ladakh, India September 24, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





Young monks take a break from their studies inside Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





Young monks take a break from their studies inside Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)





Young monks stand at their school inside Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, India September 26, 2016. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)