Every year, DIMC Azusa, California organizes a novice ordination program in the summer for adolescent males to practice and train themselves following the teachings of the Lord Buddha. This year, DIMC held the 21st Novice Ordination Program from June – July 2, 2016. This year there were about 20 ordainees that took part in the ordination program. During the first week of the program, they were getting accustomed to staying together at the temple while learning and practicing different Buddhist activities such as chanting and meditation. They also got to learn Dhamma from the teaching monks and doing everyday chores. For the second week of the program, they were ordained as novice monks. The ordination took place on Sunday June 26, 2016. Once ordained, one of the activities that they had to perform was a pilgrimage. DIMC organized a pilgrimage on Thursday June 30, 2016 where the monks and novices walked from DIMC to their final destination of Best Teriyaki, located not too far from DIMC. While on the pilgrimage, the monks and novices carried tents and alms bowl with them. Once arrived at their destination, there were many lay devotees waiting to offer alms to them. Images of this event were aired on the well-known television channel in Southern California, abc7, where the anchors mentioned that it was a beautiful sight. This ordination gave these ordainees the opportunity to learn about the Buddhist culture, as well as practice them to be good and virtuous.
