Difference between revisions of "Upasampada"
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[[File:Upasampata in Burma.JPG|thumb|Upasampada of a Buddhist monk in Burma]] | [[File:Upasampata in Burma.JPG|thumb|Upasampada of a Buddhist monk in Burma]] | ||
| − | + | [[Upasampadā] (Pali) literally means "approaching or nearing the ascetic tradition." In more common parlance it specifically refers to the rite of ordination by which one undertakes the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] [[Bhikkhu|monastic]] [[life]].<ref>{{Wiki|Rhys Davids}} & Stede (1921-25), p. 147, article on "[[Upasampadā]]" (retrieved 26 Sep 2007 at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:3930.pali).</ref> | |
| − | According to Buddhist monastic codes ([[Vinaya]]), a person must be 20 years old in order to become a monk or nun. A person under the age of 20 years cannot undertake upasampada (i.e., become a monk (''[[bhikkhu]]'') or nun (''[[bhikkhuni]]'')), but can become a novice (m. ''[[samanera]]'', f. ''[[samaneri]]''). (To see how a person sets out to gain upasampada, see [[pabbajja]] or "adopting the condition of mendicancy.") After a year or at the age of 20, a novice will be considered for the upasampada.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9074384 Encyclopædia Britannica (2007).]</ref> | + | According to [[Buddhist]] [[monastic]] {{Wiki|codes}} ([[Vinaya]]), a [[person]] must be 20 years old in [[order]] to become a [[monk]] or [[nun]]. A [[person]] under the age of 20 years cannot undertake [[upasampada]] (i.e., become a [[monk]] (''[[bhikkhu]]'') or [[nun]] (''[[bhikkhuni]]'')), but can become a [[novice]] (m. ''[[samanera]]'', f. ''[[samaneri]]''). (To see how a [[person]] sets out to gain [[upasampada]], see [[pabbajja]] or "adopting the [[condition]] of mendicancy.") After a year or at the age of 20, a [[novice]] will be considered for the [[upasampada]].<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9074384 Encyclopædia Britannica (2007).]</ref> |
| − | Certain organizations may require a person to practice in a semi-renounced state for a set period of time for the sake of preparation and cultural familiarization. | + | Certain organizations may require a [[person]] to practice in a semi-renounced state for a set period of [[time]] for the sake of preparation and {{Wiki|cultural}} familiarization. |
| − | The strictures surrounding upasampada are different for samaneras and samaneris. | + | The strictures surrounding [[upasampada]] are different for [[samaneras]] and [[samaneris]]. |
| − | Traditionally, the upasampada ritual is performed within a well demarcated and consecrated area called sima (sima malaka) and needs to be attended by a specified number of monks - "ten or even five in a remoter area" (Peter Skilling, How Buddhism invented Asia, 2009).<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2009/2533073.htm Peter Skilling, How Buddhism invented Asia, 2 April 2009]. Peter Skilling interviewed by Phillip Adams. Online audio recording.</ref> | + | [[Traditionally]], the [[upasampada]] [[ritual]] is performed within a well demarcated and [[consecrated]] area called sima (sima malaka) and needs to be attended by a specified number of [[monks]] - "ten or even five in a remoter area" (Peter Skilling, How [[Buddhism]] invented {{Wiki|Asia}}, 2009).<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2009/2533073.htm Peter Skilling, How Buddhism invented Asia, 2 April 2009]. Peter Skilling interviewed by Phillip Adams. Online audio recording.</ref> |
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Sangha]] | [[Category:Sangha]] | ||
Revision as of 07:34, 24 September 2013
[[Upasampadā] (Pali) literally means "approaching or nearing the ascetic tradition." In more common parlance it specifically refers to the rite of ordination by which one undertakes the Buddhist monastic life.[1]
According to Buddhist monastic codes (Vinaya), a person must be 20 years old in order to become a monk or nun. A person under the age of 20 years cannot undertake upasampada (i.e., become a monk (bhikkhu) or nun (bhikkhuni)), but can become a novice (m. samanera, f. samaneri). (To see how a person sets out to gain upasampada, see pabbajja or "adopting the condition of mendicancy.") After a year or at the age of 20, a novice will be considered for the upasampada.[2]
Certain organizations may require a person to practice in a semi-renounced state for a set period of time for the sake of preparation and cultural familiarization.
The strictures surrounding upasampada are different for samaneras and samaneris.
Traditionally, the upasampada ritual is performed within a well demarcated and consecrated area called sima (sima malaka) and needs to be attended by a specified number of monks - "ten or even five in a remoter area" (Peter Skilling, How Buddhism invented Asia, 2009).[3]
Footnotes
- ↑ Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), p. 147, article on "Upasampadā" (retrieved 26 Sep 2007 at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:3930.pali).
- ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica (2007).
- ↑ Peter Skilling, How Buddhism invented Asia, 2 April 2009. Peter Skilling interviewed by Phillip Adams. Online audio recording.
