pabbajja

Pabbajjā is a Pali term meaning “going forth.” It refers to the renunciation of lay life and entry into Buddhist monastic life, marking the first stage of ordination in many Buddhist traditions. Pabbajjā is distinct from upasampadā, the higher ordination that completes full monastic status.

The ceremony is typically conducted in the presence of senior monks or nuns. A candidate publicly requests admission to the monastic community and undertakes the training appropriate for a novice, receiving the monastic robes and bowl. The exact form and the number of precepts observed during pabbajjā vary by tradition, but the aim is to begin strict moral discipline and a life of renunciation.

Following pabbajjā, the individual becomes a samanera (novice monk) or, for women, a samanerī (novice nun). They remain in the novice stage until they undertake upasampadā, which confers full ordination as a bhikkhu or bhikkhuni. Pabbajjā is described in early Vinaya literature, notably within Theravāda sources such as the Vinaya Pitaka, and is observed in various Theravāda and some Mahayana lineages, though procedures differ among communities.

The renunciation associated with pabbajjā is not necessarily permanent; a monk or nun may disrobe and return to lay life under certain circumstances. The practice, however, embodies a formal commitment to the monastic path, including celibacy, poverty, and adherence to the monastic code.