Hindu Coming of Age

1
Hindu Coming of Age

• The Sacred Thread Ceremony
• or
• Upanayana

2
Coming of Age Becoming an Adult

• Many cultures mark the beginning of adulthood
  with a special rite of passage an initiation
  ceremony.
• In Hinduism, when a boy from one of the three
  higher, or twice-born castes reaches this stage
  the Sacred Thread Ceremony is performed.
• This is the Tenth Samskara and takes place
  between the ages of 7-15, depending on which
  caste the boy belongs to.

3
The Sacred Thread Ceremony

• Traditionally, the ceremony used to happen when a
  boy left home to go and live as a student with
  his Guru or spiritual advisor.
• These days it usually happens when the boy
  reaches puberty.
• It has become less serious and more of an
  opportunity for celebrations and family
  gatherings.

4
The Sacred Thread Ceremony

• The ceremony takes place when the boy is seen as
  becoming more independent of his mother.
• Often, the boys head is shaved
• He is presented to the Gods of his household to
  whom the boy and his father normally make an
  offering.
• Presents are given to the boy and his parents.

5
The Sacred Thread Ceremony

• Mother and son are bathed and anointed together.
• This is the last time a boy is spoon fed by his
  mother, so he will often sit in her lap and she
  will symbolically feed him from a spoon to
  represent this.

6
The Sacred Thread Ceremony

• The boy will sit on the Gurus left hand side and
  promise to obey all orders he is given.
• His hands are then covered with a cloth and there
  is beating of drums and shells being blown.
• The Guru whispers into the right ear of the boy
  words that he must not repeat to anyone else.
• After this he is given the sacred thread.

7
The Sacred Thread Ceremony

• The final part of the ceremony is when the boy
  puts on new clothes, a pair of shoes and pretends
  to set off on a journey.
• The priest or uncle of the boy tries to persuade
  him to stay by promising him the hand of his
  daughter in marriage so he stays!

8
The Sacred Thread

• This is made of cotton and consists of three
  parts wound together.
• It is worn across the boys left shoulder and is
  usually worn for life.

9
The Sacred Thread

• It is given so that the good which is in the boy
  may remain and that he may receive spiritual
  blessings.
• In many Hindu communities, a man will not be
  allowed to marry or carry out religious
  ceremonies before receiving his sacred thread.

10
The Meaning

• The ceremony marks the boys real entry into
  their religion and the beginning of scriptural
  study with their guru.
• The thread reminds the wearer they should be pure
  in thought, word and deed.
• A new thread is worn and the old one discarded
  every new year.
• Further threads might be added if the man gets
  married or studies further.

This is a boy wearing his sacred thread as well
as a girdle of munja grass
11
TASKS

• Describe at least four things that happen during
  the Sacred Thread Ceremony.
• Why is it important? What does it mean?
• Extension
• What do you understand by adulthood? When do
  you think it begins? How is it marked in our
  culture? How important do you think initiation
  into adulthood is? Why?