Q1074258

Pabbajjā (Pali; Skt.: '''') literally means "to go forth" and refers to an ordination in Buddhism when a layperson leaves home to live the life of a Buddhist renunciate among a community of bhikkhus (fully ordained monks). This generally involves preliminary ordination as a novice (m. samanera, f. samaneri''). It is sometimes referred to as "lower ordination". It is the ceremony that precedes the upasampadā ordination and allows the novice to experience monastic life for the first time. After a period or when the novice reaches 20 years of age, the novice can be considered for the upasampadā ordination (or "higher ordination") whereby the novice becomes a monk (bhikkhu) or nun (bhikkhuni). It has been used in pre-Buddhist religions along with traditions of later Buddhism. The role of pabbajjā to become a samanera is a way to train oneself in separation to experience spiritual transformation.

The term pabbajjā refers to withdrawing from worldly affairs and social obligations. This practice of renunciation has been a well-established way of life for those seeking spiritual liberation, even before the emergence of Buddhism. Individuals who chose this path often did so in pursuit of the brahmacharya lifestyle. These renunciants typically lived in solitude or as part of a community, and would depend on alms for sustenance. These renunciants were often mendicants and ascetics, and were already present in spiritual traditions predating the Buddhist era.