Do Buddhist children from outside of Buddhist countries ever become monks temporarily? In Buddhist countries, young or teenage boys, and sometime girls, sometimes (or often, depending on the country) become monks temporarily. Do any Buddhist children from other countries (e.g., Western countries) ever do this? Is there anywhere (e.g. a monastery) where this would happen?
In my country (Belgium) and I presume in most Western countries, children are of course allowed to follow programs like these. However, a child joining a monastic order is considered controversial as it collides with laws regarding the protection of minors. Also, consider that many other Western religious orders impose minimum age requirements themselves.

There was a case a few years ago of a 15-year old boy who wanted to join a Tibetan monastery. He was stopped by police on his way to a flight to India. After a court appeal was he permitted to depart a month later.

Though not exactly the same thing, court cases will take into consideration the legal age required to choose/change one's religion without parental consent. The minimum age varies somewhat in European countries.


In Austria and Germany, children can change their religion without parental consent from the age of 14 years; 
in Estonia and Slovenia, from the age of 15 years; 
in Cyprus, Portugal and Romania, from the age of 16 years. 
In Bulgaria, Denmark and Finland, the minimum age for changing religion without parental consent is 18 years.