Pabbajja

Going Forth

The prince rode the horse Kanthaka into the darkness attended only by his loyal servant Channa. They crossed the Anoma River at dawn. At the river bank, the prince cut off the hair of his head with his sword, which the devata carried up to heaven hwere it is still venerated. He handed over his princely clothes to Channa and donned the simple yellow garments of an ascetic. He made a vow to lead the holy life.

“...The household life is crowded, a dusty road. Life gone forth is the open air. It isn't easy, living in a home, to lead the holy life that is totally perfect, totally pure, a polished shell. What if I, having shaved off my hair & beard and putting on the ochre robe, were to go forth from the home life into homelessness?”
(MN.36)