Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c10.52

c10.52

Pabbajjâ, as is implied by its very essence, is a one-sided act on the part of the “outgoer.” He alone speaks, and of what he says the Order as such takes no notice; every older, fully-accredited monk can receive his declaration. The candidate puts on the yellow garment of the *religieux*, has his hair and beard shaved off, and says three times in reverential attitude to the monk or monks present: “I take my refuge in the Buddha. I take my refuge in the Doctrine. I take my refuge in the Order.”