Left Home
Left Home: Traditionally, if a Buddhist is to “leave home” and become an ordained Buddhist, it is necessary to leave one’s birthplace for a minimum distance of 40 miles. Once joining the Sangha order, one is not to receive any offerings from family and relatives because those items are deemed “impure”, they have “familial attachments” (i.e., giving out of love, fondness, etc. rather than giving [to strangers] because of selflessness, etc.). Moreover, leaving home allows one to be independent and one is bound to be more honored and respected without having the knowledge of the individual’s background. For example, it would be very difficult for family members all of sudden to call their brothers, sons, grandsons, etc. "A Master". Moreover, the Buddha also left his birthplace of Kapilavastu to go to the neighboring country of Magadha where he attained the Ultimate Enlightenment of Buddhahood before returning to guide his royal family to practice Buddhism.
