Buddhism
Buddhism teaches that all life is interconnected and is a spiritual tradition that focuses on spiritual development and the understanding into the true nature of life. Buddhism is around 2,500 years old and is religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who lived about 25 centuries ago. He was called "the Buddha," which means "awakened one," after a quest for Enlightenment in around the 6th Century BC. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent, change is possible. They worship Buddha, and have designed temples based on the five elements: fire, air and earth which is symbolised by the square base, water and wisdom which is symbolised by the pinnacle at the top. Each temple or monastery contains a statue of Buddha.
What young people had to learn?
Young people had to learn the Ten Precepts or the rules of behaviour before they can be accepted into the monastery. This helps a person to live simply and without the luxury or extravagance of thing such as TVs and cars.
How they are dressed
Buddhist boys or girls wear plain, deep yellow, reddish brown, grey, black or orange robes worn by monks or nuns and start on their new, adult lives.
Who was there?
Boys and girls over 8 years old are present at the ceremony. Many of these ceremonies are for boys who are joining a monastery for a few months before they begin working and earning money. In Buddhism, only a few girls ever become nuns.
What happened during the ritual?
Buddhists have special baths and have their heads shaved. This is because they need to remove all the dirt before they put on robes worn by monks or nuns and start on their new, adult lives. This is also known as Dharma Day. This day marks the beginning of the Buddha's teaching. The word Dharma can be translated as truth and is the term used for the path to enlightenment, or the Buddhist teaching.
Different symbols and actions used
Shaven heads: This is a sign that monks or nuns have left behind the ordinary world, where people worry about their personal appearance.
A New Name: Often a person entering a monastery takes a new name as a symbol of their new way of life.
A New Name: Often a person entering a monastery takes a new name as a symbol of their new way of life.
How they celebrated afterwards
Their parents usually give their son or daughter a simple gift such as a bowl for collecting food. Soon after his Enlightenment, the Buddha went to find his former disciples and share his experience with them. This event could be seen as the start of the Buddhist religion, and is what Dharma day celebrates. The first teaching to the Buddha's original five disciples is known as "The First Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma.