Samanera: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Buddhist |
{{Short description|Buddhist ordained novices}} |
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{{Refimprove|date=November 2013}} |
{{Refimprove|date=November 2013}} |
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[[File:Novices meditating.jpg|thumb|Sāmaṇeras in Thailand]] |
[[File:Novices meditating.jpg|thumb|[[Theravadan]] Sāmaṇeras in [[Thailand]]]] |
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[[File:Chogye Buddhist monks.jpg|thumb|Sāmaṇeras from the tradition of [[Korean Buddhism]]]] |
[[File:Chogye Buddhist monks.jpg|thumb|Sāmaṇeras from the tradition of [[Korean Buddhism]]]] |
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A '''sāmaṇera''' ([[Pali]]) |
A '''sāmaṇera''' ([[Pali]]), {{lang-sa|श्रामणेर}} ({{IAST|śrāmaṇera}}), is a novice male monk in a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] context.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sumedho|first=Ajahn|author-link=Ajahn Sumedho|title=Peace is a Simple Step|url=https://www.abhayagiri.org/media/books/Ajahn%20Sumedho%20Volume%201%20-%20Peace%20is%20a%20Simple%20Step.pdf|publisher=Amaravati Publications|year=2014|page=36|isbn=978-1-78432-000-3}}</ref> A female novice nun is a '''sāmaṇerī''' (Pali), and a ''śrāmaṇerī'' or ''śrāmaṇerikā'' (Sanskrit). In [[Tibetan]]{{dn|date=August 2024}} and in [[Tibetan Buddhism]], a female novice nun is a ''getsulma'', and a male novice monk is a ''getsul''.<ref>Kopan Monastery, "Ordination in the Tibetan Tradition", https://kopanmonastery.com/about-kopan/the-monastic-community/ordination-in-the-tibetan-tradition</ref> |
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== Etymology == |
== Etymology == |
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== History == |
== History == |
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The account provided in the literature of South Asian Buddhism (and adopted by other Buddhist |
The account provided in the literature of South Asian Buddhism (and adopted by other Buddhist traditions) is that when [[Gautama Buddha]]'s son [[Rāhula]] was seven years old, he followed the Buddha, saying "Give me my inheritance." The Buddha called [[Sariputta]] and asked him to ordain Rāhula, who became the first sāmaṇera.{{quote|The King ([[Śuddhodana|Suddhodana]]), discovering that now his grandson and a number of young men in the royal family had requested ordination, asked the Buddha only to ordain a minor with the consent of his parents or guardian. The Buddha assented. This rule was expanded to include the spouses of those intending to join the Order of monks and nuns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/arty/his-life/home.htm |title=Wall paintings ·· coming home, see section Buddha's son |publisher=buddhamind.info |access-date=2013-11-06}}</ref>}} |
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== {{anchor|Ten precepts}}Overview == |
== {{anchor|Ten precepts}}Overview == |
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{{Main|Vinaya}} |
{{Main|Vinaya}} |
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[[File:Novices sweeping.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Thai novices sweeping temple grounds |
[[File:Novices sweeping.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Thai novices sweeping temple grounds]] |
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In the Vinaya (monastic regulations) used by many South Asian Buddhist sects, a man under the age of 20 cannot ordain as a bhikṣu (monk) but can ordain as a sāmaṇera. Sāmaṇeras (and sāmaṇerīs – the equivalent term for girls) keep the Ten Precepts as their code of behaviour and devote themselves to the religious life during breaks from secular schooling, or in conjunction with it if devoted to formal ordination. In other cultures and Buddhist traditions (particularly North East Asia, and those in the West that derive from these lineages), monks take different sets of vows, and follow different customary rules. |
In the Vinaya (monastic regulations) used by many South Asian Buddhist sects, a man under the age of 20 cannot ordain as a bhikṣu (monk) but can ordain as a sāmaṇera. Sāmaṇeras (and sāmaṇerīs – the equivalent term for girls) keep the Ten Precepts as their code of behaviour and devote themselves to the religious life during breaks from secular schooling, or in conjunction with it if devoted to formal ordination. In other cultures and Buddhist traditions (particularly North East Asia, and those in the West that derive from these lineages), monks take different sets of vows, and follow different customary rules. |
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The Ten Precepts upheld by sāmaṇeras are: |
The Ten Precepts upheld by sāmaṇeras are: |
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#Refrain from killing living things. |
#Refrain from killing/harming living things. |
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#Refrain from stealing. |
#Refrain from stealing. |
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#Refrain from unchastity (sensuality, sexuality, lust). |
#Refrain from unchastity (sensuality, sexuality, lust). |
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== Ordination of women == |
== Ordination of women == |
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{{main|Bhikkhunī}} |
{{main|Bhikkhunī}} |
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The novice ordination of women, according to the traditional [[vinaya]], is conferred by monks, and by nuns when possible. Novice nuns (Tib. ''Getsulma'', or Skt. ''Śrāmaṇeras/ris'') honor their vows of the [[Five Precepts#Ten Precepts|Ten Precepts]] as their code of behaviour. |
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After a year or at the age of 20, |
After a year or at the age of 20, a novice nun can be ordained as a full ''bhikṣuṇī'' (Pali: ''[[bhikkhunī]]''). The ordination rituals depend on the nun's specific tradition of Buddhism, while the number their precepts increases substantially. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[Unsui]] |
*[[Unsui]] |
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{{div col end}} |
{{div col end}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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*[http://santifm.org/santipada/sitemap/ the website of Bhante Sujato's Writings contains several (ancient and modern) texts on the role and ordination of women in Buddhism.] |
*[http://santifm.org/santipada/sitemap/ the website of Bhante Sujato's Writings contains several (ancient and modern) texts on the role and ordination of women in Buddhism.] |
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*[http://bhikkhunicommittee.googlepages.com ''Bhikkhuni committee of the ASA''] includes a large resource of articles regarding Bhikkhunis |
*[http://bhikkhunicommittee.googlepages.com ''Bhikkhuni committee of the ASA''] includes a large resource of articles regarding Bhikkhunis |
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*[http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/monastic/train.htm Monastic Resources - Training] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070117065914/http://www.buddhapadipa.org/pages/buddhism_femalemonksinbuddhism.html "Female Monks In Buddhism"], by Dhammacaro (07/23/2005). |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070117065914/http://www.buddhapadipa.org/pages/buddhism_femalemonksinbuddhism.html "Female Monks In Buddhism"], by Dhammacaro (07/23/2005). |
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*[http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/spectra/vinaya_pitaka "Vinaya Pitaka"], brief description includes "Order of ordination for men and women...." |
*[http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/spectra/vinaya_pitaka "Vinaya Pitaka"], brief description includes "Order of ordination for men and women...." |
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{{Buddhism topics}} |
{{Buddhism topics}} |
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Latest revision as of 20:25, 12 August 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2013) |
A sāmaṇera (Pali), Sanskrit: श्रामणेर (śrāmaṇera), is a novice male monk in a Buddhist context.[1] A female novice nun is a sāmaṇerī (Pali), and a śrāmaṇerī or śrāmaṇerikā (Sanskrit). In Tibetan[disambiguation needed] and in Tibetan Buddhism, a female novice nun is a getsulma, and a male novice monk is a getsul.[2]
Etymology
[edit]The sāmaṇera is a Pali language diminutive equivalent to the Sanskrit term śrāmaṇera, which indicates an ascetic practitioner. Therefore, sāmaṇera might be said to mean "small or young renunciate". In some South and Southeast Asian Buddhist traditions, the term refers to someone who has taken the initial pravrajya vows but not the upasampada or full ordination. The pratimokṣa rules do not apply to them and they do not take part in the recital of the rules on uposatha days.
The Sanskrit word śrāmaṇerikā is the feminine form of śrāmaṇera.
History
[edit]The account provided in the literature of South Asian Buddhism (and adopted by other Buddhist traditions) is that when Gautama Buddha's son Rāhula was seven years old, he followed the Buddha, saying "Give me my inheritance." The Buddha called Sariputta and asked him to ordain Rāhula, who became the first sāmaṇera.
The King (Suddhodana), discovering that now his grandson and a number of young men in the royal family had requested ordination, asked the Buddha only to ordain a minor with the consent of his parents or guardian. The Buddha assented. This rule was expanded to include the spouses of those intending to join the Order of monks and nuns.[3]
Overview
[edit]
In the Vinaya (monastic regulations) used by many South Asian Buddhist sects, a man under the age of 20 cannot ordain as a bhikṣu (monk) but can ordain as a sāmaṇera. Sāmaṇeras (and sāmaṇerīs – the equivalent term for girls) keep the Ten Precepts as their code of behaviour and devote themselves to the religious life during breaks from secular schooling, or in conjunction with it if devoted to formal ordination. In other cultures and Buddhist traditions (particularly North East Asia, and those in the West that derive from these lineages), monks take different sets of vows, and follow different customary rules.
The Ten Precepts upheld by sāmaṇeras are:
- Refrain from killing/harming living things.
- Refrain from stealing.
- Refrain from unchastity (sensuality, sexuality, lust).
- Refrain from lying.
- Refrain from taking intoxicants.
- Refrain from taking food at inappropriate times (after noon).
- Refrain from singing, dancing, playing music or attending entertainment programs (performances).
- Refrain from wearing perfume, cosmetics and garland (decorative accessories).
- Refrain from sitting on high chairs and sleeping on luxurious, soft beds.
- Refrain from accepting money.
Ordination differs between sāmaṇeras and srāmaṇerīs.
Transition to full ordination
[edit]After a year or at the age of 20, a sāmaṇera will be considered for the upasampada or higher ordination as a bhikṣu. Some monasteries will require people who want to ordain as a monk to be a novice for a set period of time, as a period of preparation and familiarization.
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Ordination of women
[edit]The novice ordination of women, according to the traditional vinaya, is conferred by monks, and by nuns when possible. Novice nuns (Tib. Getsulma, or Skt. Śrāmaṇeras/ris) honor their vows of the Ten Precepts as their code of behaviour.
After a year or at the age of 20, a novice nun can be ordained as a full bhikṣuṇī (Pali: bhikkhunī). The ordination rituals depend on the nun's specific tradition of Buddhism, while the number their precepts increases substantially.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Sumedho, Ajahn (2014). Peace is a Simple Step (PDF). Amaravati Publications. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-78432-000-3.
- ^ Kopan Monastery, "Ordination in the Tibetan Tradition", https://kopanmonastery.com/about-kopan/the-monastic-community/ordination-in-the-tibetan-tradition
- ^ "Wall paintings ·· coming home, see section Buddha's son". buddhamind.info. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
External links
[edit]- The Bhikkhunis' Code of Discipline (Bhikkhunī Pāṭimokkha') Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
- Buddhist Monastic Code II: Bhikkhunis
- the website of Bhante Sujato's Writings contains several (ancient and modern) texts on the role and ordination of women in Buddhism.
- Bhikkhuni committee of the ASA includes a large resource of articles regarding Bhikkhunis
- "Female Monks In Buddhism", by Dhammacaro (07/23/2005).
- "Vinaya Pitaka", brief description includes "Order of ordination for men and women...."
