The Aloka Novitiate 2010, Kushinara will be historic! Just in terms of numbers, it will be history in making for the following:
- the highest number of participants,
- the biggest and widest geographical representation,
- the record number shaving, and
- the longest land distance covered by a Novitiate
320 participants are taking part in this year's Novitiate; outstripping the 118 in Lumbini in 2007, 309 in Bodhgaya in 2008 and 150 in Sarnath last year.
The 320 are made up of 4 Sangha members, 98 samaneras, 152 upsasikas, 9 anagarikas, 31 pilgrims, and 26 helpers.
At 98 and 152, the number of samaneras and upasikas respectively are the highest ever.
The number shaving is also a record at 166 -- 61 upasikas, 5 anagarikas and 2 helpers in addition to the 98 samaneras -- overtaking the previous record of 130 in Bodhgaya.
The Aloka Novitiate has traditionally been drawing participation from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia but this year, there is greater diversity in terms of geographical representation with participants coming from Indonesia, France and Switzerland as well.
Unlike previous years, the Novitiate programme this year will traverse locations in northern India and Nepal. After 10 days in Kushinara, the Novitiate programme will continue in Sravasti and then proceed to Lumbini, Nepal -- covering an unprecedented land distance!
It also brings to full circle a Novitiate programme that Bhante Mahinda started in 2007 after conducting 32 years of Novitiate programme in the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields, Malaysia as a commitment to his late teacher Ven K Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera
The 320 are made up of 4 Sangha members, 98 samaneras, 152 upsasikas, 9 anagarikas, 31 pilgrims, and 26 helpers.
At 98 and 152, the number of samaneras and upasikas respectively are the highest ever.
The number shaving is also a record at 166 -- 61 upasikas, 5 anagarikas and 2 helpers in addition to the 98 samaneras -- overtaking the previous record of 130 in Bodhgaya.
The Aloka Novitiate has traditionally been drawing participation from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia but this year, there is greater diversity in terms of geographical representation with participants coming from Indonesia, France and Switzerland as well.
Unlike previous years, the Novitiate programme this year will traverse locations in northern India and Nepal. After 10 days in Kushinara, the Novitiate programme will continue in Sravasti and then proceed to Lumbini, Nepal -- covering an unprecedented land distance!
It also brings to full circle a Novitiate programme that Bhante Mahinda started in 2007 after conducting 32 years of Novitiate programme in the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields, Malaysia as a commitment to his late teacher Ven K Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera
Bhante mooted the idea of Novitiate in the Buddha's holy sites to provide the opportunity for the lay devotees to establish themselves deeper in the Dhamma and grow in faith and confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. It also serves to strengthen the commitment to walk the Noble Path as well as entrench the support for the Buddha Sasana and work for the welfare and happiness of the many.
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