A common misconception is that monks in Thailand are monks for life and while true for some the majority will serve only a temporary or short-term Buddhist monk ordination. This can be days, weeks, months or years and at some period during their lives most Thai men will serve as a monk in ordination. After completing their term they then return to ‘laity’ in normal life. A popular period for temporary ordination is the Thai summer holidays between April and June a period where the number of monks in Thailand can double and up. Through Buddhist teachings and meditation short-term monks will be prepared to fill their future roles as good citizens. For this post I follow the process as my friend Aun is ordained in rural Thailand (Nang Rong, Buriram).