Thread: Northern Monk Initiation

Lighting the candles:

and jossticks:

Only close relatives are allowed inside, the other layity resides outside:



Now, the initiation proper begins, Pali texts are sung and answers given by the novice:

Now he's getting his orange robe:

Being instructed and assisted by the senior monks:

Ready for further instructions:

He gets symbolic gifts, his begging bowl:

And what looks like a flower bouquet to hand to the monks:

Coming out with his notes:

And his begging bowl:

More 'instructions':

While the crowd waits:

Finished?
No - back inside where he'll get his mala:

Giving gifts to the monks:

And, almost done:

Done!

Posing for family pics:

Now the part the children, young, old and grown-up have been waiting for. More than 800 coins (1bt) are carefully folded and will now be thrown out:

I managed to catch 5: