Mpt Pc 72Ordaining Under Twenty

The Ūnavīsativassa Discourse: Prohibitions Concerning Training Under Twenty Years of Age

Background

The Ūnavīsativassa discourse (Pāli: ūna-vīsati-vassa, "less than twenty years") is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Pātimokkha of the Theravāda tradition. This is a rule concerning age and conditions for ordination established by the Buddha in order to protect the purity and stability of the Sangha.

Historically, this rule arose from specific events. At first, the Buddha allowed young men of any age to go forth in search of the teaching. However, when he saw negative consequences, such as loss of discipline, actions unsuitable to the life of training, and adverse effects on the image of the Sangha, the Buddha established a minimum age requirement. This rule is not merely an administrative restriction, but also reflects the Buddha's compassion for young people who are not yet mature enough to commit themselves to an ascetic way of life.

Main Content

The rule forbids admitting a person to full monastic training under twenty years of age, counted by calendar years. This criterion is applied strictly: the candidate for ordination must be twenty years old or older, calculated by comparing the date of birth with the intended date of entry into the Sangha.

The important point in the discourse is the reason behind this rule. The Buddha saw that those under twenty are still in the stage of mental, physical, and psychological development. They are not mature enough to:

First, deeply understand the nature of the training vows and the possible obligations within the monastic Vinaya.

Second, observe difficult precepts such as celibacy, strict discipline concerning food, and restraint of natural instincts.

Third, cope with the mental and physical difficulties arising from the life of training without sufficient support from family and society.

In addition, this rule also protects the public reputation of the Sangha.