Sāmaṇera is a male novice of monk. A female novice is a “sāmaṇerī“.
In the Vinaya (monastic regulations), a man under the age of 20 cannot ordain as a bhikku (monk) but can ordain as a sāmaṇera.
Sāmaṇeras (and sāmaṇerīs) keep the ten precepts as their code of behaviour.
- Refrain from killing/harming living things.
- Refrain from stealing.
- Refrain from unchastity (sensuality, sexuality, lust).
- Refrain from lying.
- Refrain from taking intoxicants.
- Refrain from taking food at inappropriate times (after noon).
- Refrain from singing, dancing, playing music or attending entertainment programs (performances).
- Refrain from wearing perfume, cosmetics and garland (decorative accessories).
- Refrain from sitting on high chairs and sleeping on luxurious, soft beds.
- Refrain from accepting money.
Sāmaṇeras follow the monks in their training, doing odd jobs, before receiving the upasampadā precepts and becoming an official monk.