Bad prayer day? Young monks sob as they have their heads shaved during Buddhist ceremony in South Korea Children got their heads shaved and donned robes at the 'Children becoming Buddhist monks' ceremony The ceremony took place at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul - home of Korean buddhism, South Korea, today Ceremony comes just shy of South Korean Buddhists preparing to celebrate Buddha's upcoming birthdayBy Leigh Mcmanus For Mailonline Published: 11:03 BST, 22 April 2019 | Updated: 11:04 BST, 22 April 2019 Viewcomments Advertisement Children got a makeover to see what it's like to live as a Buddhist monk at the home of South Korean Buddhism. Several children got their heads shaved and donned robes at the 'Children becoming Buddhist monks' ceremony at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, today. The children will stay at the temple to learn about Buddhism for 21 days. The ceremony comes just shy of South Korean Buddhists preparing to celebrate Buddha's upcoming birthday on 12 May. Buddhists believe that Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of their faith, was born approximately 2,559 years ago, although the exact date is unknown. In Korea, this day is called 'Seokga tansinil', meaning 'Buddha's birthday' or 'Bucheonim osin nal' meaning 'the day when the Buddha came', according to Asia Society. Although only 23 percent of South Koreans identify as Buddhists, his birthday - the eighth day of the fourth month according to the lunar calendar - is celebrated as a public holiday. Boy has his hair shaved during the 'Children becoming Buddhist monks' ceremony at Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea Novice monk gets head shaved by a Buddhist monk during an event to celebrate the upcoming Vesak Day, birthday of Buddha The ceremony comes just shy of South Korean Buddhists preparing to celebrate Buddha's upcoming birthday on 12 May Young novice monks walk after having their heads shaved during the 'Children becoming Buddhist monks' ceremony A child rubs his head after a Buddhist monk shaved his hair off a boy whose Buddhist name is Myung Nin reacts as a monk shaves his head A boy sits on the ground after having his head shaved. Several children got their heads shaved and also donned robes This young man was more willing to accept his fresh haircut whilst others cried. South Korean Buddhists are preparing to celebrate Buddha's birthday on May 12 A boy jumps on cushion with his bouncy hair before having his head shaved as parents and guardians watch on Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility