Bhairahawa, Mar. 11: A total of 1,250 individuals have become apprentice monks in Lumbini on a single day. 

Prabrajya programme was organised in Lumbini on Saturday for the trainee monks, which is the first step towards the path of Buddhism. 

All 1,250 monks wore yellow robes on a single day with the promise to follow 10 different disciplines of Buddhism.

All Nepal Monk Federation, Thai Monk Federation, Lumbini Development Trust and other organisations jointly organised the event in the courtyard of Mayadevi Temple.

Buddhist religious leaders of the All Nepal Monk Federation and Dhammakaya Foundation of Thailand had provided the yellow robes for the trainee  monks. 

Interim monks must wear yellow robes and follow the 10 rules of Buddhism. Although ordinary followers follow Panchsheel and Ashtasheel, interim monks should completely devote themselves to Buddhist rules for 20 days. 

To become a monk, they have to follow 227 rules. In the Prabrajya that began on February 28, a total of 1,250 persons shaved their head and wore yellow robes visiting Lumbini. 

Monk Pragyamurti, the executive member of the All Nepal Monk Federation, said that they produced interim monks to promote Buddha’s education and further highlight the importance of Lumbini.

He said that 1,250 people who received robes were taught Panchasheel, Ashtasheel and Vinaypitak an instructed to meditate every day.

According to the Lumbini Development Trust, 1,000 were provided with Prabrajya programme in 2011, 1,112 in 2015, 1,119  in 2019, and 500 in 2023. 

A religious rally will be organised on March 16 and 17 in Ramgram and Tilaurakot of the Greater Lumbini area and the rally will be concluded on March 21.