Sikkhamana

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People of the Pali canon
Pali	English
Community of Buddhist Disciples
Monastic Sangha
Bhikkhu, Bhikkuṇī Samaṇera, Samaṇerī Sikkhamānā	Monk, Nun Novice (m., f.) Nun trainee
Laity
Upāsaka, Upāsikā Gahattha, Gahapati Agārika, Agāriya	Lay devotee (m., f.) Householder Layperson
Other Religions
Samaṇa Ājīvaka Brāhmaṇa Nigaṇṭha	Wanderer Ascetic Brahmin Jain ascetic
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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.