Ten years after the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism sowed the Dharma seeds in Tanzania, Africa, the first African novice has shaved his head and embarked on the monastic path.

On April 6, Baekyangsa Temple (Abbot: Ven. Mungong), the headquarters temple of the 18th District, held a novice ordination ceremony for Jimmy John Mwakatumbulla (22), a native of Tanzania, at the Daeungjeon Hall. Novice Jimmy John is a student at Borigaram Agriculture Technical College in Tanzania, established by the Jogye Order. Finding his calling in Buddhism, he has begun full-fledged monastic training in Korea.

“I hope that Novice Jimmy John, who has vowed to walk the path of a monastic practitioner in a foreign land, will strive diligently with a healthy body and mind in the Buddha’s blessings and become an outstanding practitioner,” prayed Ven. Mugong during the ceremony. “Although the language and culture may be unfamiliar, I hope you will grow into a valuable asset to Korean Buddhism through your dedication.”

Novice Jimmy John first bowed three times toward his parents in his homeland of Tanzania, a symbolic way of declaring his intention to become an ordained Buddhist monk. Then, he bowed three times to the assembly of monks before proceeding with the head-shaving ceremony.

After the ceremony ended, he said, “I am very happy to have become a novice, and I want to study hard to become an exemplary monk. After that, I want to return to Tanzania to spread Buddhism and help those in need.”

Novice Jimmy John is a horticulture major in his third year at Borigaram Agriculture Technical College in Tanzania. He learned Korean at the Sejong Academy on campus and visited Korea after winning a speech contest late last year. After being introduced to Buddhism in Korea, he decided to become a monk to study the religion more deeply and returned to Korea with his family’s permission.

Earlier, Most Ven. Jinwoo, the president of the Jogye Order, met with Novice Jimmy John and encouraged him, saying, “I hope you successfully complete the education and training required for ordination. Once you become a monk, you will be able to help many people.”