Monorom Neth’s ordination ceremony to become a novice monk, at the first Cambodian Buddhist temple, located in Lakewood, CA, in 1985. The ordination ceremony occurs in stages. At this stage, Monorom’s hair and eyebrows have been shaved to help eliminate vanity. His sister, Somealea, is walking with him to the main sanctuary where he will be ordained. She carries his robes on a silver tray. The robes are protected by an embroidered and beaded covering called “trai.” His other sister, Somealy, will also take a turn carrying the robes. The next stage will be to appear before the elder monks who will lead Monorom through the ceremony and from whom he will receive blessings and his robes. Following this, he will discard his old clothes, change into his robes, and return to the sanctuary as a novice monk. He will receive final blessings and acceptance from the monks, as well as well wishes from those in attendance.
