沙弥

(sa) śrāmaṇera, 室羅摩拏洛迦; 室末那伊洛迦; 室羅摩尼羅 The male religious novice, who has taken vows to obey the ten commandments. The term is explained by 息惡行慈 one who ceases from evil and does works of mercy, or lives altruistically; 勤策男 a zealous man; 求寂 one who seeks rest; 求涅槃寂 one who seeks the peace of nirvāṇa. Three kinds are recognized according to age, i. e. 7 to 13 years old, old enough to 驅鳥 'drive away crows'; 14 to 19, called 應法 able to respond to or follow the doctrine; 20 to 70.