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Upanayana (Sacred Thread ceremony) (lit. "near sight"), also called "sacred thread ceremony", is commonly known for being a Hindu Sanskara, rite-of-passage ritual, where the concept of Brahman is introduced to a young boy. Traditionally, the ceremony was performed to mark the point at which boys began their formal education.

In Hinduism, the ceremony is performed on boys of at least 7 years of age from the Brahmin varna, of at least 13 years from the Kshatriya varna, and of at least 17 years from the Vaishya varna. The youngster is taught during the ceremony the secret of life through Brahmopadesam (revealing the nature of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality) or the Gayatri mantra. The child then becomes qualified for life as a student or Brahmachari, as prescribed in the Manusmriti.

According to an appendix of the Manusmriti, girls were allowed to study the Vedas in the previous kalpa (Creation). Orthodox Hindus, however, do not accept this reference, because no Hindu canonical text allows this ceremony for a girl in the present kalpa. Some sects, esp. Arya Samaj, perform this ceremony for girls also on the basis of this statement.

In Buddhism, which in its inception rebelled from any superficial show of ritualistic practices, relied on finding the true meaning of "upanayana" through meditative practices as outlined by Buddha. In Buddhism, the upanayanam is associated with the Triple Gem refuge and constant meditative and moral practices as outlined in the Eightfold Path. In Buddhism, this practice is universal and open to all regardless of age, caste lineage, race or sex.