The Sacred Thread Ceremony or “Upanayana” Hindu Coming of Age The Sacred Thread Ceremony or “Upanayana”

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.

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.

The Sacred Thread Ceremony The ceremony takes place when the boy is seen as becoming more independent of his mother. Often, the boy’s 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.

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.

The Sacred Thread Ceremony The boy will sit on the Guru’s 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.

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!

The Sacred Thread This is made of cotton and consists of three parts wound together. It is worn across the boy’s left shoulder and is usually worn for life.

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.

The Meaning The ceremony marks the boy’s 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

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?