Every year, a group of children will enter Chogye Temple in Seoul to become temporary monks in conjunction with the Buddha's Birthday. On May 3 this year, a group of 8 children entered the monastery to become monks to learn more about Buddhism. These children will stay in the monastery for 21 days.
Chogye is the only major temple within the old city walls of Seoul. Built in 1910, the temple became the main site of Korean Buddhism's Chogye Order in 1936.
After the end of the Second World War, the Chogye Order fought for many years to take control of monastic properties for the exclusive use of celibate clergy, and expel all married monks. It finally succeeded, and today it is the most prominent group in Korean Buddhism.
Children getting ready to undergo the shaving ceremony
The children pray before the shaving ceremony
Faces of the children while being shaved by the monks
After shaving the children are dressed in robes with the help from the monks
This child cries after being shaved
While one cries the other is in joyous mood
This child must be pondering what's life in store for him in the coming 3 weeks
This child seems to be happy with his new "head" and monastic attire
Mothers embrace their children to console them
The mothers pray during the ceremony
A child's arm is poked as Buddhist monks attempt to burn incense on his skin during the 'Children Becoming Buddhist Monks' ceremony
A unique relationship between the monks and the children
These little monks having their group photo taken
Monks pray during the ceremony
Children proscrate to pray during the ceremony
Chogye is the only major temple within the old city walls of Seoul. Built in 1910, the temple became the main site of Korean Buddhism's Chogye Order in 1936.
After the end of the Second World War, the Chogye Order fought for many years to take control of monastic properties for the exclusive use of celibate clergy, and expel all married monks. It finally succeeded, and today it is the most prominent group in Korean Buddhism.
Children getting ready to undergo the shaving ceremony
The children pray before the shaving ceremony
Faces of the children while being shaved by the monks
After shaving the children are dressed in robes with the help from the monks
This child cries after being shaved
While one cries the other is in joyous mood
This child must be pondering what's life in store for him in the coming 3 weeks
This child seems to be happy with his new "head" and monastic attire
Mothers embrace their children to console them
The mothers pray during the ceremony
A child's arm is poked as Buddhist monks attempt to burn incense on his skin during the 'Children Becoming Buddhist Monks' ceremony
A unique relationship between the monks and the children
These little monks having their group photo taken
Monks pray during the ceremony
Children proscrate to pray during the ceremony
