He took monastic vows and joined the local sangha.
Tips
culture
Phonetic loan from Sanskrit saṃgha. Originally a community of four or more ordained monastics; later applied to monks individually. Shortened to just 僧 (sēng) in everyday Chinese.
history
Together with 佛 (Buddha) and 法 (Dharma, doctrine), the 僧伽 forms the 三宝 (sānbǎo, Three Jewels) — the three refuges every Buddhist takes.
