Monastic Training Benefiting children

The training is a great opportunity for children to learn the Buddhist values, and how to live a meaningful life so that they can lead change in their lives and their communities. During the practice, children have a taste of monk’s life, cultivate spiritual qualities, and share their practice to transform others. Children are also inspired to walk with mindfulness and freedom.
We admit children who are between the age of 12-18, and who get consent from their parents. Once admitted on the program, children are given white robes to wear during their training and scrupulously observe eight precepts (abstain from killing, abstain from stealing, abstain from sexual misconduct, abstain from false speech, abstain from intoxicants, abstain from taking food after noon, abstain from high garlands, or wearing ornaments, and abstain from sleeping on high and luxurious beds). Children not only learn the Buddhist culture, but also a practice that they apply to transform their suffering and develop in compassion.
Currently, we have 10 children under training adorning white robes.
Once children are ordained as novice monks, their training focuses on monastic life and how to live a peaceful and joyful life in a community. This training has three pillars; practice, study, and work. Participants are reminded to ardently exert mindful breathing, eating, walking, listening to the bell, sweeping.
Plans are underway to construct a Buddhist primary school so that these children can attain both secular (based on national curriculum) and monastic education.