Prayer I

Return link java script

Medium: Pastel

Artist: Gisele Hurtaud

Buddhist child monks are shown at prayer in this picture. During the latter half of the 20th century, most Buddhist monks in Thailand began their careers by serving as temple boys, primarily to gain a basic education. The number of children living as temple boys has declined, although some parents still choose this form of religious education for their children. Boys, and in some localities, girls, now typically ordain as novices. Novices are not required to follow the full range of monastic rules. They are often in closer contact with their families, spending more time in the homes of their parents than with monks. Temporary ordination is the norm between one and three years of education. After this period, most young monks return to lay life, going on to later marry and begin a family.