Xct Mu Bu Pm Pc 72Ordaining Under Twenty
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ūnavīsativassa
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THE SUTTA PROHIBITING FULL ORDINATION UNDER THE AGE OF TWENTY
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, the Ūnavīsativassa sutta (Ordaining Under Twenty) is recorded in the Pātimokkha Saṁvara, the code of discipline that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. This sutta arose from one of the unusual events in the history of the early Sangha.
According to tradition, some young men who were still too young sought ordination in order to escape difficult circumstances or to take advantage of monastic life. The Buddha, with deep understanding of human beings, saw that not everyone is ready to endure the hardships and discipline of the monastic life before reaching psychological and physical maturity. Therefore, he established an age standard to protect both the individual and the Sangha.
Main Content
The sutta lays down that no one may receive full ordination, that is, officially go forth and enter the Sangha, before reaching twenty years of age. The Pāli phrase ūnavīsati vassa means “less than twenty years old,” that is, under twenty.
This regulation is not unreasonable or arbitrary. It is based on the recognition that a person under twenty does not yet have sufficient maturity to commit to the strict discipline of the Sangha community. The age of twenty is regarded as the point at which one has developed sufficiently in worldview, ethics, and endurance to practice the efforts of the Noble Path.
If a young person who is not of age has already been fully ordained, the Sangha must reconsider that person’s status. This ordination is regarded as invalid and must be corrected according to the proper legal procedure. This reflects the seriousness of the Sangha toward the ordination process and respect for the Dharma and discipline.
Practical Meaning
The Ūnavīsativassa sutta is not only an administrative rule, but also carries a deep meaning concerning the path of practice. It shows that Buddhism does not encourage anyone to seek practice as an escape or out of despair.
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