Ten little monks
Cinorjer
Veteran
There's a picture going around the internet that shows ten cute little boy monks posing with their "Master" at the Chogye temple in Seoul, Korea. The caption never gives details, so people get the idea these are ordained monks destined to be raised in the temple like the guy in that Kung Fu television series or a Tibetan dali.
I'd almost forgotten about this particular custom over there. Every year, about a month before Buddha's Birthday is celebrated, a handful of boys are chosen and temporarily ordained, given tiny robes and heads shaved, etc. They live with the monks at the temple and are given tours of the museums, etc. Then they're handed back to the parents with the thanks of the order. I've seen pictures of the boys playing soccer with the older monks during this time, so they're hardly forced to live the life of a monk.
Anyway, thought you'd get a kick out of the picture if you haven't seen it yet.
Comments
The little one on the left is Lucy Liu meets Mr. Spock....
Sweet.
In Thailand, however, there are child novice monks that live at temples long-term.
In Thailand, it's not hard for a young monk to leave the temple if he decides it's not for him, is it?
Well, I guess any age monk can leave any temple.
Not sure about true child novices...could they only leave with parental consent?
Thailand has complicated laws regarding "of age".
I just got kicked! Thanks!