All spiritual traditions have their rites of passages, such as bar mitzvahs and confirmations. Buddhism is no exception, but traditions vary from school to school and country to country.

In Thailand and Myanmar, young men become monks in a rite of passage and live a monastic life for at least three months, while Tibetan children are given a herd of yaks to take care of. In the West, programs are being developed for children as Buddhism comes of age in this part of the world and children become an active part of the Buddhist community.