Sikkhamānā

In Buddhism, a sikkhamānā is a female novice (Pali: samaneri) training to become a nun (Pali: bhikkhuni). In the Vinaya Pitaka's Cullavagga X.1.4, the Buddha prescribed that this training period is to be two years long, supervised by both a monk and a nun.

A young woman should be ordained, according to Theravada tradition, by both a monk and a nun, first as a samaneri. Then, after a year or at the age of 20, she will be ordained as a full bhikkhuni. The Theravada vinaya has 311 rules of discipline for bhikkhunis. Within Chinese society, as an example, members of the Sangha are expected to renounce family connections and accept the Sangha as their family.

Thus, according to Vinaya Pitaka, the ordination order for women is: samaneri -> sikkhamana -> bhikkhuni.

See also

• ordination process
• anagarika (pre-ordaination)
• maschlakam

External links

• "In depth comparative study of the Sikkhamānā training from all Vinayas"
• Monastic Resources - Training
• "Female Monks In Buddhism", by Dhammacaro (07/23/2005).
• "Vinaya Pitaka", brief description includes "Order of ordination for men and women...."

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