A Monk's Name

[Unrul3r]

Hello all!

I was wondering how the naming process goes and who chooses a monks name. Does the preceptor give it to him? Does he himself choose?

I've also read monks can change names from the pabbajja to upasampada. Are there two choices (one for pabbajja and a second choice for upasampada)?

Metta to all!

[Cittasanto]

Hello all!

I was wondering how the naming process goes and who chooses a monks name. Does the preceptor give it to him? Does he himself choose?

I've also read monks can change names from the pabbajja to upasampada. Are there two choices (one for pabbajja and a second choice for upasampada)?

Metta to all!

The preceptor chooses although they may already have a name from another preceptor (as in the pabbajja & upasampada)
the name can change and there have been monastics who changed their name at a later date with the preceptors consent.

There are certain rules followed in some communities although it may not always be followed. I am not sure of the precise rules but each letter is ascribed to a day of the week, and the day of the week someone is born is how the first letter of the name is chosen by. To my understanding of it it is something similar to simple numerology.

[Unrul3r]

The preceptor chooses although they may already have a name from another preceptor (as in the pabbajja & upasampada)
the name can change and there have been monastics who changed their name at a later date with the preceptors consent.

There are certain rules followed in some communities although it may not always be followed. I am not sure of the precise rules but each letter is ascribed to a day of the week, and the day of the week someone is born is how the first letter of the name is chosen by. To my understanding of it it is something similar to simple numerology.

I see. Thank you for the reply!