21 Days With Buddha

Shot in Busan, South Korea, 21 Days With Buddha is a feature length documentary that follows the journey of thirteen children who embark on a month of monk-hood in preparation for Buddha’s Birthday Celebrations. Living apart from their families, these children learn what it means to be dongjaseung, or “little monks.”

Little monks were historically known as orphans raised in Buddhist temples, but recently Korean monks have transformed this tradition into a month-long annual ceremony nationwide. While cared for at Hongbeopsa Temple, the childrens’ heads are shaved, and they are taught to eat, pray, and live as Buddhist monks.

Financed by the Fulbright Korean-American Educational Commission, this documentary provides a day-by-day look at the modernized Buddhist tradition, and offers insight on how we adapt to independence and learn from ritual.