500 short-term monks ordained

By Our Correspondent,Bhairahawa, Mar. 18: Five hundred people have been ordained as short-term monks in Lumbini.

At a programme organised on Monday at the Mayadevi Temple premises, Buddhist religious leaders presented them with yellow robes and invited them to participate in the Shramaner Pravajya (short-term monkhood).

The Pravajya programme was organised by the All Nepal Monks Federation and the Thai Monks Federation and co-organised by various organisations, including the Lumbini Development Trust.

At the event, Buddhist religious leaders, including Mahasthavir Dhamma Shovan, president of the All Nepal Monks Federation, presented yellow robes to the short-term monks.

Short-term monks must wear yellow robes and follow the 10 precepts of Buddhism. While ordinary followers observe the five principles and eight precepts, short-term monks must transform their lifestyle completely in accordance with Buddhist precepts. To become a fully ordained monk, one must follow 227 precepts.

The Pravajya programme, which began on March 10, will conclude on March 31. The monks who were eligible to receive the yellow robes on Monday expressed happiness upon receiving them. According to the organisers, the monks who have received the yellow robes will be taught about the Panchasheel, Ashtasheel and Vinaya Pitaka, and will also be instructed in daily meditation practices.

It is believed that the short-term monk initiation held in Lumbini will further help promote the teachings of Buddha and Buddhism.

The programme was attended by Kalpana Harijan, Acting Chief of Lumbini Sanskriti Municipality; Deepak Shrestha, Member Secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust; and others.