"What is the difference between novitation and full bhikkhu ordination?"

One yogi recently sent us a question asking about the different kinds of ordinations that are possible for men. Following is our answer. For more questions about Dhamma in Burma to be answered on this blog, shoot us an email at burmadhamma(at)gmail.

What is the difference between novitation and full bhikkhu ordination?

Full bhikkhu ordination may only happen when the aspirant reaches 20 years of age, thus anyone under this age may only be ordained as a novice. One of the main differences between the novice and full bhikkhu relates to the code of discipline: while the full bhikkhu has 227 precepts to follow, the novice has just ten. Some adults, while much older than twenty years old, may voluntarily choose to be ordained as a novice if they do not yet feel ready for the full discipline of a monk’s life. Finally, when a lay person wishes to ordain, one must first ordain as a lay person to a novice, and the next step is becoming a full bhikkhu. Although the aspirant may only be a novice for a matter of hours, it is impossible to ordain directly from being a layman to a full bhikkhu.

Morning recitation at Burmese monastic school

“The education in their religion is very good, very thorough, not only in precept, but in practice; for in the monastery you must live a holy life, as the monks live, even if you are but a schoolboy.” Harold Fielding, Soul of a People

Students at a monastic school recite suttas from the Buddhist scriptures to start their day. One may see how the nuns are in the front of the classroom, thus an early respect for those in robes in established from a young age. Behind them are school children wearing the formal white and emerald green uniforms. Filling up the rest of the room are orphans and local village children. Lessons will commence after the recitation is completed.

Young Burmese nuns show their learning of the Buddha's teachings

"A few weeks later I arrived to Yangon, and next day I became a nun. The first few days I felt like I was in a movie or dreaming. Everything it was so amazing, so different and special. Just astonishing!

After 2,500 years, my life was now very similar to the life found at the time of the Buddha. I found incredible that they were able of keeping this purity here in Myanmar: the monks going for alms-round in a silent line at dawn, the offerings of people, the celebrations in full moon, the evening chantings, the sound of the gong..."

--Daw Uttara, Spanish nun