More youth to be ordained

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

There is a severe dearth of Bhikkhus in the country and to overcome this, the Buddhasasana Ministry has appealed to Buddhist families to ordain their children to perpetuate the Buddha Sasana.

A recent survey by the Buddhasasana Ministry has revealed that there are only 41,000 bhikkhus in the country at present.

This number is inadequate to cater to the religious needs of the Buddhists. Prime Minister and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Jayaratne has decided to offer financial assistance or a block of land to parents of low income groups as an incentive to permit a male member of their families to be ordained.

In addition, such parents will be felicitated in recognition of their service to the BuddhaSasana. Ven. K. Dhammadassi Nayaka Thera, the chief advisor to Dhamma Schools in the Kurunegala District told a meeting of Dhamma school teachers and parents .