pabbajja

Pabbajja (Pali; Skt.: pravrajya) literally means "to wander forth" and is a Buddhist rite whereby a layperson is ordained as a novice (m. samanera, f. samaneri). It is also known as the "lower ordination." After a period of time or when the novice reaches 20 years of age, the novice can be considered for the upasampada ordination (or "higher ordination") whereby the novice becomes a monk (bhikkhu) or nun (bhikkhuni).

In some traditional Theravada countries, such as Myanmar, boys undergo pabbajja at the age of puberty. In Mahayana countries such as China and Tibet, the pabbajja is preceded by a probationary period.^[1]

See also

• Sangha
• Bhikkhu
• Upasampada

Notes

1. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica (2007a).

Source

• Encyclopædia Britannica (2007a). "Pabbajja." Retrieved 26 Sept 2007 from "Encyclopædia Britannica Online" at http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9057892.
• Encyclopædia Britannica (2007b). "Upasampada." Retrieved 26 Sept 2007 from "Encyclopædia Britannica Online" at http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9074384.

External links

• "pabbajja" entry in the Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary (1921-25).
• "The Admission to the Order of Bhikkhus" in Rhys Davids & Oldenberg's English-language translation of the Vinaya Text (1881). (Note that, in this translation, the English word is spelled, "pabbaggâ.")

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