According to Buddhism, the cause of happiness is virtuous Karma. In Bhutan, the contribution of religion towards shaping the country is very significant. The monasteries have for centuries educated and trained the Bhutanese population. Monks join the monastery at six to nine years of age and traditionally many families will send one son into the monk hood. Here they learn to read chhokey, the language of the ancient sacred texts, as well as English. The monks are extremely polite and courteous.