Ordination Guidelines & Protocol
Sāmaṇera / Sāmaṇerī Novice Ordination
Arahanist Order of Canada
Introduction: The Meaning of Pabbajjā
Pabbajjā, commonly translated as renunciation, marks the beginning of formal monastic life. Through this ordination, a candidate leaves the ordinary household way of life and undertakes the discipline of a novice renunciant.
The purpose of Pabbajjā extends beyond wearing the robes or adopting a new religious identity. It is a commitment to a life directed toward liberation from worldly bondage: abandoning unnecessary worldly concerns, cultivating virtue, developing concentration, investigating the nature of worldly existence, and following the path leading toward Arahantship.
The Sāmaṇera or Sāmaṇerī undertakes the Three Refuges and the Ten Training Precepts, places themselves under the guidance of a preceptor and teacher, and begins systematic training in monastic conduct, Dhamma, and meditation.
The ordination ceremony should therefore be conducted with dignity, composure, and a clear understanding of its spiritual significance. Every stage—from the candidate’s initial preparation to the final instructions—should help establish the foundation for a life of renunciation.
These guidelines establish a consistent ceremonial sequence for novice ordination within the Arahanist Order of Canada. They are intended to guide candidates, preceptors, assisting monastics, and those responsible for preparing the ordination gathering.
Part I. Preparation for Ordination
1. Understanding the Commitment
Before requesting Pabbajjā, a candidate should receive instruction concerning the purpose and responsibilities of novice life.
The candidate should understand that renunciation involves more than changing clothing or residing in a monastery. It requires a sincere willingness to simplify one’s life, observe the Ten Training Precepts, accept guidance, and devote oneself to spiritual development.
The candidate should be prepared to undertake:
- The Three Refuges as the foundation of spiritual commitment.
- The Ten Training Precepts governing novice conduct.
- Training under the guidance of a preceptor and teacher.
- The study of Dhamma and the practice of meditation.
- A life of simplicity, sense restraint, contentment, and disciplined conduct.
- The gradual development of the qualities necessary for progress toward Arahantship.
The preceptor should ensure that the candidate has a reasonable understanding of these commitments before the ordination date is confirmed.
2. Personal Responsibilities and Readiness
Before ordination, the candidate should review and settle responsibilities that may conflict with monastic life.
These may include:
- Family and dependent-care responsibilities.
- Employment, business, and financial commitments.
- Outstanding debts, legal proceedings, or other unresolved obligations.
- Ownership or management of property, investments, and possessions.
- Necessary consent or authorization, including parental or guardian consent where applicable.
- Health considerations that may affect the candidate’s ability to participate in and sustain monastic training.
The candidate should discuss relevant circumstances honestly with the preceptor. The purpose of this preparation is to ensure that the decision to renounce is responsible, informed, and compatible with the candidate’s circumstances and the applicable requirements.
Any eligibility restrictions or required permissions should be reviewed before the ceremony. Where the candidate’s circumstances require additional consideration, the preceptor should resolve the matter before confirming the ordination.
3. Confirmation of the Ordination
Once the candidate has been accepted for training and the necessary preparations have been completed, the candidate and preceptor should agree upon the date, place, and arrangements for the ceremony.
The preceptor should confirm:
- The candidate’s readiness for novice life.
- The availability of the preceptor and any assisting monastics.
- The preparation of the robes, alms bowl, and other necessary requisites.
- The arrangement of the ordination space.
- The availability of the Pāli recitations and ceremonial instructions.
- The arrangements for the candidate’s immediate training following ordination.
The ceremony should take place in a clean, quiet, and suitably prepared setting. The atmosphere should support reverence, concentration, and reflection.
4. Required Requisites
The following items should be prepared before the ceremony:
- A complete set of novice robes.
- An alms bowl.
- A suitable tray or arrangement for offerings.
- White clothing for the candidate before ordination.
- A clean and appropriate space for the ceremony.
- A printed or otherwise accessible copy of the Pāli recitations.
- Any additional requisites considered necessary by the preceptor.
The assisting monastics should check that the robes and other requisites are ready before the candidate enters.
5. Preparation of the Candidate
On the day of ordination, the candidate should have the head and beard shaved, as appropriate to the tradition and circumstances, and change into clean white clothing.
White clothing represents the candidate’s condition before taking on the robes of renunciation. The candidate should approach the ceremony with humility and a sincere intention to begin a disciplined spiritual life.
The candidate should carry the prepared set of robes on the forearms, with the hands joined in a gesture of respect when appropriate.
Before entering the gathering, the candidate should be reminded of the ceremonial sequence and the importance of following the preceptor’s instructions attentively.
Part II. The Pabbajjā Ceremony
6. Entrance and Initial Homage
The candidate enters the gathering carrying the robes and approaches the preceptor.
The candidate places the robes to the left and the offering tray to the right, or follows the arrangement directed by the preceptor. The candidate then presents the offerings to the preceptor and pays homage three times using the five-point prostration, with the forehead, two forearms, and two knees touching the floor.
After paying homage, the candidate remains kneeling, takes the robes onto the forearms again, and joins the hands respectfully in preparation for requesting Pabbajjā.
The preceptor should allow sufficient time for the candidate to settle physically and mentally before beginning the recitations.
7. Request for Pabbajjā Ordination
The candidate requests ordination three times.
Candidate:
Okāsa, ahaṃ, bhante, pabbajjaṃ yācāmi.
Permit me, Bhante. I request Pabbajjā ordination.
Dutiyam’pi, ahaṃ, bhante, pabbajjaṃ yācāmi.
For the second time, Bhante, I request Pabbajjā ordination.
Tatiyam’pi, ahaṃ, bhante, pabbajjaṃ yācāmi.
For the third time, Bhante, I request Pabbajjā ordination.
The candidate then makes the principal request for renunciation, repeated three times.
Candidate:
Sabba-dukkha-nissaraṇa-nibbāna-sacchi-karaṇatthāya, etaṃ kāsāvaṃ datvā pabbājetha maṃ, bhante, anukampaṃ upādāya.
For the release from all dukkha and for the purpose of directly realizing Nibbāna, please give me these saffron robes and ordain me, Bhante, out of compassion.
Second request:
Dutiyam’pi, sabba-dukkha-nissaraṇa-nibbāna-sacchi-karaṇatthāya, etaṃ kāsāvaṃ datvā pabbājetha maṃ, bhante, anukampaṃ upādāya.
For the second time, for the release from all dukkha and for the purpose of directly realizing Nibbāna, please give me these saffron robes and ordain me, Bhante, out of compassion.
Third request:
Tatiyam’pi, sabba-dukkha-nissaraṇa-nibbāna-sacchi-karaṇatthāya, etaṃ kāsāvaṃ datvā pabbājetha maṃ, bhante, anukampaṃ upādāya.
For the third time, for the release from all dukkha and for the purpose of directly realizing Nibbāna, please give me these saffron robes and ordain me, Bhante, out of compassion.
After the requests, the candidate places the robes before the preceptor as directed.
8. Instruction in the Three Refuges and the Purpose of Renunciation
The preceptor explains the significance of the Three Refuges and the responsibilities of novice life. The candidate should be reminded that the robes symbolize a commitment to renunciation and spiritual training.
The preceptor should explain that Pabbajjā begins a course of disciplined practice. Its purpose is to establish the conditions for the cultivation of virtue, concentration, and wisdom, leading toward the eradication of defilements and the realization of liberation.
The preceptor then introduces the Taca Pañcaka Kammaṭṭhāna, the meditation on five bodily constituents traditionally taught at ordination.
The Taca Pañcaka Kammaṭṭhāna
The candidate repeats each word after the preceptor, first in the forward order and then in reverse order.
Forward order: Kesā – Head hair. Lomā – Body hair. Nakhā – Nails. Dantā – Teeth. Taco – Skin.
Reverse order: Taco – Skin. Dantā – Teeth. Nakhā – Nails. Lomā – Body hair. Kesā – Head hair.
The preceptor should explain the purpose of this contemplation in an accessible manner, introducing the examination of the body as a foundation for disenchantment with physical appearance and the development of insight.
The candidate should repeat the words attentively and learn to recollect them as part of subsequent training.
9. Receiving the Robes
After teaching the contemplation, the preceptor removes the appropriate shoulder cloth (aṃsa) from the robe set and places it over the candidate’s head, covering the left shoulder according to the local ceremonial custom.
The preceptor returns the remaining robes and explains how they are to be worn.
The candidate receives the robes respectfully, keeps the hands joined where appropriate, and withdraws from the ceremonial area according to the preceptor’s directions. If required by the established custom of the gathering, the candidate backs away on the knees before standing and proceeding to the place designated for changing.
An assisting monastic accompanies the candidate and provides help with putting on the robes.
10. Reflection on the Use of the Robes
While putting on the robes, the candidate recites the reflection on the proper use of monastic clothing.
Paccavekkhaṇa: Reflection on the Robes
Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso cīvaraṃ paṭisevāmi, yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṃsa-makasa-vātātapa-siriṃsapa-samphassānaṃ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva hirikopīna-paṭicchādanatthaṃ.
Reflecting wisely, I use the robes only to protect myself from cold and heat, from gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and creeping creatures, and for the purpose of covering the parts of the body that should be concealed.
This reflection establishes the proper attitude toward the robes. They are requisites for a life of renunciation, not ornaments for personal display. The novice should learn to use them with gratitude, restraint, and understanding.
After dressing, the candidate returns to the gathering, pays homage to the Saṅgha as directed, and approaches the preceptor to request the Three Refuges and Ten Training Precepts.
