Child Ordination – A Different Perspective
By Mahendra De Silva -January 25, 2014
Sharmini Serasinghe as usual has written a thought provoking and interesting article on child ordination in Sri Lanka. I agree with some of the reasons she gives to explain why it is wrong. I myself was fully against it for a long time until I change my views after speaking to some learned monks on the subject. The purpose of this article is to look it from a different angle and suggest the best possible way this could be accomplish to satisfy everyone, if a child really wants to ordain as a priest at any age.
First of all if we take the 10 training principle Sharmini has provided, I do not think it could do any harm to a child if they decide to accept and follow the precepts.
- I undertake to abstain from harming or taking life
- I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given
- I undertake to abstain from any sexual contact
- I undertake to abstain from false speech
- I undertake to abstain from the use of intoxicants
- I undertake to abstain from taking food after midday
- I undertake to abstain from dancing, singing, music or any kind of entertainment
- I undertake to abstain from the use of garlands, perfumes, unguents and adornments
- I undertake to abstain from using luxurious seats
- I undertake to abstain from accepting and holding money
Sharmini claims that abstaining taking food after midday will harm a growing up kid. But if we see the Samanera monks in temples, most of them appear to be healthy and happy. We hardly see any sign of malnutrition on them. It is a fact that most of the kids (except for the kids living in extreme poverty) eat much more than their requirement. The parents in general provides maximum for their kids and they want them to be happy at any cost. This desire very often spoils our kids. Since there are no restrictions in eating not only kids, even adults overeat and have to face obesity and other health problems. Human body is quite capable of managing with 2 meals if the mind can be trained to accept it and be happy with it. If a Kid could undergo this training happily it is a discipline that would help him throughout his life. It would also be an achievement which even adults find it difficult to practice. Read More
