Upasampada a Buddhist rite through which a Buddhist novitiate or new vikkhu is elevated to the status of full vikkhu. Usually Buddhist novitiates, called shraman, begin their monastic life at 15. This stage of their life is known as shramanya or pravrajya. During this period, a young vikkhu learns the Buddhist scriptures under a mature vikkhu. The minimum age for becoming a full vikkhu or taking upasampada is 20. No sraman who is disabled, in debt, blind, convicted of a crime, seriously ill, or suffering from leprosy or epilepsy is allowed to take upasampada. There are eight kinds of upasampada, but only nattichatuttha kamma upasampada is administered nowadays.

The presence of at least five vikkhus is essential at an upasampada ceremony. First the candidate's fitness for becoming a full vikkhu is examined. If he is found fit he has to request the vikkhus thrice to grant him upasampada. The vikkhus then grant him upasampada according to the prescribed rites. The decision of the vikkhus must be unanimous.

Upasampada is one of the main Buddhist religious ceremonies. Lay persons attend this ceremony in the hope of earning blessings. This ceremony is, however, observed on a quieter note than the pravrajya ceremony. Upasampada ceremonies are held at different viharas of the country. [Sukomal Barua]