March 16, 2023, Lumbini: All Nepal Bhikhhu Association, Thai Bhikkhu Association and Lumbini Development Trust jointly organized a novice ordination program in Lumbini. Five hundred lay people were ordained in the program. After ordination, the novice should strictly follow one hundred Buddhist rules for twenty days.

Ven. Dhamma Shovan Mahasthavir of All Nepal Bhikhhu Association and Vice Abbot of Dhammakaya Foundation, Thailand Pha Pavana Dhamvites jointly provided initiation and robes to the novice monks. Before initiation five hundred novice monks had shaved their heads in Lumbini.

Addressing the ordination and robe offering program, Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Ven. Metteyya said, "Periodical ordination program provides an ample opportunity for the lay people to realize the Buddha's teachings in a deeper sense." He further added that it was a good and auspicious initiative to organize mass ordination programs in the holy birthplace of the Buddha and such programs would continue in future too.

Ven. Dhamma Shovan Mahasthavir said that periodical ordination is one of the rarest opportunities for the novice monks to contemplate and gain deeper insight in the subtle teachings of the Buddha. He also instructed the novice monks to practice the Buddha's teachings in a diligent manner to benefit from the opportunity.

Member Secretary of LDT Sanuraja Shakya said that it was the first mass ordination organized in Lumbini after Covid-19 pandemic. He adde, "Such ordinations will be carried out in coming days to promote Buddha sasana."

Executive Board Member and Director of the ordination program Rajesh Shakya said 1000 novices were ordained in Lumbini in 2011. Ordination programs were also organized in the years 2015 and 1119. "Only five hundred novices have been ordained this year because of post Covid-19 impact but numbers of the novice will be increased in future", he added.

Chief Abbot of Royal Thai Monastery Ven. Supot, Treasurer Siddhicharan Bhattarai, Executive Board Members Biswaraj Paudel and Netra Bahadur Shahi and LDT officials also attended the ordination program.