12 YOUTH CANDIDATES OF THE “TRUE LITTLE MONK : A WISDOM TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR NOVICES” ENTER MONKHOOD FOUR WEEKS OF “COMPASSION & KINDNESS” LESSONS : LEARN-LIVE-LOVE-LET GO

WATCH THE WORLD’S FIRST REALITY DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMME IN ENGLISH ON TRUEVISIONS REALITY CHANNEL 60,99 AND HD CHANNEL 119 OR 333 AND WORLDWIDE STREAMING AT WWW.TRUELITLLEMONK.COM FROM NOW TO JULY 25, 2018

As the only Dhamma reality program in Thailand which is overwhelmingly well received by Thai people and guaranteed by awards from leading organizations both in Thailand and abroad, True Little Monk has been quite a success, standing out as the top-of-mind, widely awaited Dhamma program for a great number of audience. This year, Charoen Pokphand Group and True Corporation Plc have expanded the program in Thai version to an international level. To open door to a new dimension in expanding Buddhism, CP and True Groups are organizing “True Little Monk : A Wisdom Training Programme for Novices”, the world’s first international dhamma reality documentary programme conducted in English at Wat Pah Sai Ngam in Det Udom district, Ubon Ratchathani province under the supervision of Abbot Master Phrakhru Nikrotthammaphon (Luang Ta Anek Yasadinno). An ordination ceremony was recently held to 12 novices from various nationalities and cultures. It was an honor for the Companies that management from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as member of the diplomatic corps in Thailand from Nepal, Kenya, Sri Langka and New Zealand attended the event.

Mr. Suphachai Chearavanont, Chief Executive Officer, Charoen Pokphand Group /Chairman of the Executive Committee, True Corporation Plc, said “The ambition of Charoen Pokphand Group and True Corporation to initiate “True Little Monk : A Wisdom Training Programme for Novices” is to expand Buddhism to an international scale in order to bring Lord Buddha’s Dhamma to the hearts of peoples across the world, as well as to set good examples and inspire the public to practice Dhamma principles. This is the first time that Dhamma reality documentary programme are conducted in English so that viewers worldwide can learn Dhamma along with the 12 novices from various nationalities such as Nepalese, Kenyan, New Zealander, Australian, British, French and Chinese. Although the novices come from different languages and cultures, they quickly learn to adapt themselves to new environments and most importantly, are themselves determined to be ordained. They know how to ask questions and find answers by themselves which is very important learning curve nowadays.

“Youths have unlimited potentials. If they are embraced with Buddhism’s ethics and virtues, they will gain the highest level of knowledge which is regarded as the most valuable treasure that the Lord Buddha discovered for all mankind. All through four weeks of monkhood, the novice monks will study and practice the Lord Buddha’s teachings under the concept of “Compassion & Kindness”, they will “learn” Dhamma by setting questions, practicing and understanding Dhamma, “live” by focusing on the present and practicing Dhamma principles with endurance and as well as “love” by realizing the truth of living together in harmony and support each other and finally “let go” of ego and selfishness to reach the goal of being a “giver” with compassion. The program aims to cultivate good deeds of ethics and virtues to the 12 international novices who will learn valuable things for their own foundations in their daily lives and they can be a media in expanding the Lord Buddha’s teachings to viewers across the world.”, Mr. Suphachai concluded.

Shane Wafula (DJ), an 8-year-old Kenyan novice, said, “I am glad to be ordained as a novice monk. I hope that being a novice will make me a better person. I have practiced and prepared myself for this mission in many ways such as waking up early, mediating and eating less.”
“Joining this True Little Monk: A Wisdom Training Programme for Novices”, I have made new friends from various nationalities. This is a good experience. I have learned and practiced Dhamma by meditating and chanting. All reverend monks have provided me fruitful knowledge which I will indeed share to my friends,” Novice DJ concluded.

Trevor Thara Rowley (Trevor), an 8-year-old Thai-New Zealander novice, said, “This is my first time of being ordained as a novice monk. I want to be a novice because my brother was ordained before. I want to know how is being a little monk. So far, I cannot understand Buddhism, so I want to learn more about this religion.”

“At the first place, I was quite worried about eating, sleeping and shaving my hair so I practiced to eat less, sleep on the ground and prepare my mind if I have no hair. Once I was ordained, I miss my family but at the same time I am glad and excited to learn new things such as how to wear a set of monk’s robe. Being a novice monk enables me to learn new things,” Novice Trevor concluded.

If you wonder how are the 12 True Little monks will spend their lives, you can watch the “True Little Monk : A Wisdom Training Programme for Novice” to experience the dedication of these multinational 12 young boys and give them moral support from now until July 25, 2018 on TrueVisions Reality TV channel 60, 99 and TrueVisions Reality TV HD channel 119 or 333. The programme can also be watched on worldwide streaming via TrueID application which is available for both original soundtrack version and one with Thai subtitle versions or at www.truelittlemonk.com or Facebook and YouTube TrueLittleMonk. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/truelittlemonk