Monastic Training Center planned for India

Priyanka Kurugala (Daily News Sri Lanka)
Victoria (Vcrump-haill) with novice monks, McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh, India

A discussion to establish a novice monastic training center in Bodh Gaya, India (the site of the Buddha's enlightenment), to mark the 2600th year of Buddhism (Sambuddhathva Jayanthi) was held at Charikaramaya under the patronage of chief abbot of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Udugama Buddharakkitha.

Addressing the meeting, the abbot said the Indian Maha Bodhi Society and its General Secretary Ven. Rewatha are working to protect the heritage of Buddhists in India. The program launched by Anagarika Dharmapala in India to protect Buddhism should be continued, he said.

"India is a large country. Sri Lanka should get the Indian government's support to spread Buddhism in India. We should train many monks to make this a success," the abbot said.

"When I was participating in a ceremony at Andra Pradesh in India, a number of Buddhists requested me to send Buddhist monks to carry out Buddhist missionary activities. Some requested us to ordain them. Therefore, it is necessary to set up a bhikkhu training center in India," he added.