Is there any maximum age limit to ordain as nun/monk?

Q & A
1

I remember reading the vinaya saying old people should not be allowed to ordain hence my question

thanks

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Sick people not allowed to ordain. Only for certain sickness. Disabled also.

Old age didn’t mention as far as I remember. But still, good to not burden the monastic community by ordaining younger, not when bed bound, or wheelchair bound.

https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-kd1/en/brahmali?layout=plain&reference=main&notes=none&highlight=false&script=latin#39.1.1

Read from here onwards.

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3

The Vinaya doesn’t set any maximum age.

There are, however, a couple of discourses, the Vuḍ­ḍhapabbajita­suttas (AN 5. 59-60), that list the drawbacks of going forth in old age. I would suppose that their purpose is not to discourage the elderly from ordaining, but rather to warn young persons who are drawn to monastic life against postponing the decision until old age.

5.59. Gone Forth in Old Age (1)

“Bhikkhus, it is rare to find one gone forth in old age who possesses five qualities. What five? It is rare to find one gone forth in old age (1) who is astute; (2) who has the proper manner; (3) who is learned; (4) who can speak on the Dhamma; and (5) who is an expert on the discipline. It is rare to find one gone forth in old age who possesses these five qualities.”

5.60. Gone Forth in Old Age (2)

“Bhikkhus, it is rare to find one gone forth in old age who possesses five qualities. What five? It is rare to find one gone forth in old age (1) who is easy to correct; (2) who firmly retains in mind what he has learned; (3) who accepts instruction respectfully; (4) who can speak on the Dhamma; and (5) who is an expert on the discipline. It is rare to find one gone forth in old age who possesses these five qualities.”

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That second discourse is especially true in my experience :joy:

Although, I do read it the other way as well: as encouraging young monks like myself to really respect any older monks who are still e.g. astute or who can e.g. speak on the Dhamma, for that’s a rare thing, “worthy of honor”! :slight_smile:

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thanks bhante :blush::pray:
but what did the vinaya commentary and sub commentary say about this issue ?

6

Though Vinaya commentaries do on occasion lay down ordinances (both prohibitions and allowances) that aren’t supported in the canonical Vinaya, they never establish a maximum age for going forth.

Offhand, I can only recall one commentarial discussion relating to ordination in old age. It has to do with the rather specialised matter of elderly sāmaṇeras and how they ought to behave if people mistake them for bhikkhus. They need to conduct themselves so as not to be open to an accusation of “communion by theft” (i.e., pretending to be a bhikkhu if you’re not one). But I don’t recall any discussions of old-age ordination in general.

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