Uganda to host its largest Buddhist event: Ordination of 100 monks and 100 nuns
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Phyo/Thuta Kyaw (NP News) - Nov 27
A source close to the Theravada Buddhist Center in Uganda told The Statesman that the largest Buddhist event in Africa will see the ordination of 100 monks and 100 nuns.
The center is located in Entebbe, Uganda, and is led by a Ugandan monk, Dr. Ashin Buddharakkhita, and is staffed by a Burmese monk and two Burmese nuns. They house Ugandan children as nuns and monks and practice their religion.
In addition, religious sermons and demonstrations are held for those interested in Buddhism. This time, the ordination of 100 monks and 100 nuns is the historic event with the largest group that the center has hosted to date, and it may be the largest ordination of monks and nuns in Uganda.
This Dullaba ceremony, the temporary ordination into monkhood, was jointly led by U Othada, a Burmese monk from the American Dhamma Nanda Vihara Monastery, and Dr. Ashin Buddharakkhita.
“It will be held from December 5th to December 15th.There will be 100 monks and 100 nuns. This is the largest number ever at the school. Last year, there were 37 or 38. The group consists of people of different ages. Most of the participants are students, and office clerks, college students, as well as a variety of other people. Some are a little older,” the source explained.
She said that currently, there are 27 Ugandan monks and 34 nuns at the center, teaching Buddhist literature.
“They are Christians and Muslims. We can’t say that they have already converted to Buddhism. But we also can’t say that they haven’t. It’s more a case of opening the door and inviting them to come and seeand learn for themselves. In Buddhism, anyone is welcome to study. Even if they don’t convert, they can still come if they want to learn,” she said.
It is reported that currently, facilities are already available for the novices who wish to join the monastic order, including buildings for ordination and accommodation.
The center is headed by the Ugandan monk Dr. Ashin Buddharakkhita, a monk who has studied in Theravada Buddhist countries. His principal teacher is the Burmese monk Dr. Silananda Bhivamsa, and his mentor is U Othada. –