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Between the ages of seven and fourteen, boys in the Shan Culture are expect to enter a temple and learn the basic teaching of Buddha. The Poy Sang Lang festival follows the myth of Prince Rahula, Buddha's son, who at the age of seven became the first novice monk. The boys are dressed and made up to appear as princes while attended by family members who never allow their feet to touch the ground. On the third day the dress of a prince is shed and they dress in the humble robes of a monk.