Nui Becomes a Monk

For my American friends... Buddhists may be ordained as monks for as long as life or for as little as a day or a week.  One of my work associates with whom I am quite close chose to be ordained for three weeks today.  I thought some of you would like to see how this is done.  I will describe the process with my limited knowledge...

Dressed in simple white clothing, Nui prepares to present himself as a prospective monk.

Take a good look at the hair.  It will not be there long!

Friends and family are invited to snip off a lock of hair.

Taking my turn.

Hope snips a chunk off, too.

A monk does the real work with a razor.

No going back now!

Almost done!

Now dressed in a white robe, Nui poses with his mother and father.

And with his work friends

Nui with Jib and Eam (his project leader at work.)

With his friends Sert and Hope.

Nui with his girlfriend, Eve.

He appears at the front of the temple and throws flower petals and ribbons with coins attached.

The crowd tries to catch all the ribbons they can.

Now in the orange robe he will wear for three weeks, he presents himself for ordination.

He sits with an older monk while a group of monks chant.

Waiting to take his 'vows.'

The front of the ornate temple.

Two older monks chant their part of the vows.   Nui has to reply in Pali, the ancient language used at the time of the Buddha.

He presents himself to the abbot, the lead monk at the temple.

Phra Nui, a monk for the next three weeks.