{"id":118870,"date":"2014-01-24T14:54:29","date_gmt":"2014-01-24T09:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=118870"},"modified":"2014-02-07T13:44:39","modified_gmt":"2014-02-07T08:14:39","slug":"child-ordination-through-a-mothers-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/child-ordination-through-a-mothers-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Child Ordination -Through A Mother\u2019s Eyes!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sharmini Serasinghe<\/span><\/a> –<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sharmini<\/a>

Sharmini Serasinghe<\/p><\/div>\n

As a mother, the following is one of the most emotionally challenging articles I tasked myself with, as I see a son of mine, in each child-Samanera (novice Buddhist monk)!<\/p>\n

At a recent alms-giving ceremony I attended, there were many such, of varying ages. Some as young as 7 – 8 years of age, while some of pubertal age.<\/p>\n

These \u2018little ones\u2019, with shaven heads, and their thin bodies swathed in saffron robes, sat on the floor with their elders. It was hard to miss, their expressions of sheer wonder, coupled with mischief on their faces, as they watched the children of the laity, of similar age, running wild with chocolate smeared faces, brandishing their favourite toys.<\/p>\n

One of these \u2018miniature monks\u2019 in particular, had his gaze fixed longingly on a teddy bear, and another on a train set. While those, in their mid to late teens, gazed appreciatively, at the pretty young girls prancing around, before quickly hiding their faces, behind their over-sized palm-leaf fans, when frowned upon, by a disapproving adult monk.<\/p>\n

It was obvious, that these young children, thrust into monkhood, were oblivious to the fact, that they had been robbed of their innocent childhood, for no fault of their own!<\/p>\n

In all their innocence, how could they realise, that their young lives will change forever, when asked to commit themselves with those profound words, as they are being ordained-\u201cVenerable Sir, I respectfully ask you to ordain me as a novice monk, in order that I may be free from the cycle of existence and attain Nibbana\u201d.<\/p>\n

How can a child of seven-years understand what it means to be \u201cfree from the cycle of existence and attain Nibbana\u201d?<\/p>\n

Can this little, child-Samanera understand, that he cannot be carried, hugged and kissed by his mother thereafter, and seek her maternal warmth and security, when struck with a fever, or frightened by a nightmare, thunder and lightning?<\/p>\n

Further, this child-Samanera of seven-years, is committed to observe the \u2018Ten Precepts\u2019 as training rules-<\/p>\n