8 German Scouts get heads shaved at Buddhist temple

German Scouts pose at Beopju Temple in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, Sunday. Courtesy of Beopju Temple

By Ko Dong-hwan

A Buddhist monk shaves the head of a German Scout participating in a templestay program at Beopju Temple in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, Sunday. Courtesy of Beopju Temple

Eight German Scouts, who participated in the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, had their heads shaved by monks at a Buddhist temple after being moved by teachings about altruism and daily practices, according to the temple on Monday.

Thirty-four members of the German scouting team attended a two-day templestay program at Beopju Temple in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, Saturday, after their participation in the Jamboree also came to an end on the same day. The Germans were among the Scouts who extended their stay in Korea after the quadrennial event finished on Saturday.

The Scouts immersed themselves in the lives of devoted Buddhist monks. Wearing monks' vests, they learned how to offer a prostration prayer and ring a bell.

According to Ven. Haewoo, the temple's head monk, the visitors heard a lecture about how people around the world are suffering from the war between Russia and Ukraine. He suggested that the students pray for an end to the war. Ven. Haewoo said the Germans seemed to take the suggestion deeply and partook in the religious practice seriously, going to sleep at 9 p.m. and waking up the next morning at 4 a.m.

Two female and six male Germans then expressed their intention to shave their heads and join the priesthood. They performed 108 bows on the morning of the second day at the temple.

The temple discussed their request with the German delegation because the monks worried the Scouts were too young to have their heads shaved. However, the contingent leaders encouraged the temple to respect the Scouts' decision. Ven. Haewoo said the eight Germans apparently wanted to experience the Jamboree spirit of unification and peace.

The monks shaved the heads of the Scouts and returned their hair clippings to them along with a teacup as gifts.