In this photo taken on June 4, 2013, young monks play a made up game with a bunch of leaves held together with a string at the entrance of a temple showing the figures of three of the four Guardian Kings of the four cardinal directions of East (L), South (C) and West (R) at the Dechen Phodrang Monastery in Thimphu. These protectors of the four cardinal directions are almost always found at the entrance to monasteries and temples. Bhutan -- nestled in the Himalayas and flanked by both India and China -- is renowned for its rich Buddhist culture, and villages are still steeped in its traditions. Protecting the Buddhist culture is a key pillar of Bhutan's unique "Gross National Happiness" development model, which aims to balance spiritual and mental well-being with economic growth. While just over 7,000 monks are registered with the central monastic body, on the ground about 9,000 to 11,000 exist at any one time, according to Karma Penjor, secretary at the Commission for the Monastic Affairs of Bhutan. AFP PHOTO/Roberto SCHMIDT