[II. Progress of the Sāsana]
18: The Story of Full Ordination through Going to the Three Refuges
Then at that time monks from various districts, from various states, were bringing those seeking the going-forth and seeking the full ordination, (thinking): “The Fortunate One will give these the going-forth, will give them full ordination,” and therefore the monks became tired, as did also those seeking the going-forth and seeking the full ordination. Then when the Fortunate One had gone into solitude, into seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: “Now monks from various districts, from various states, bring those seeking the going-forth and seeking the full ordination, (thinking): ‘The Fortunate One will give these the going-forth, will give them full ordination,’ and therefore the monks become tired, as do also those seeking the going-forth and seeking the full ordination. What if I were to give permission to the monks, (saying): ‘Now you, monks, in whatever district, in whatever state, may give the going-forth, may give the full ordination’?”
Then the Fortunate One, having risen from seclusion in the evening time, for this cause, for this reason, after assembling the Community of monks, and giving them a talk on Dhamma, addressed the monks (saying): “Here, monks, having gone into solitude, into seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind: ‘Now monks from various districts, from various states, bring those seeking the going-forth and seeking the full ordination, (thinking): “The Fortunate One will give these the going-forth, will give them full ordination,” and therefore the monks became tired, as also do those seeking the going-forth and seeking the full ordination. What if I were to give permission to the monks, (saying): “Now you, monks, in whatever district, in whatever state, may give the going-forth, may give the full ordination”?’
Now I give permission to you, monks, in whatever district, in whatever state, you may give the going-forth, may give the full ordination. And in this way, monks, you should give the going-forth, should give the full ordination: first, after making them shave off hair and beard, don brown garments, arrange the upper robe on one shoulder, worship the monks’ feet, sit on their heels, and holding their hands in respectful salutation, you should say to them, speak thus:
‘I go to the Buddha for refuge
I go to the Dhamma for refuge
I go to the Sangha for refuge
For a second time I go to the Buddha for refuge
For a second time I go to the Dhamma for refuge
For a second time I go to the Sangha for refuge
For a third time I go to the Buddha for refuge
For a third time I go to the Dhamma for refuge
For a third time I go to the Sangha for refuge.’
I give permission, monks, for the going-forth and the full ordination through going to the three refuges.” The commentary gives a long explanation of the procedure for this ordination, which explains that this gives both the going-forth and full ordination, providing that both the ordainee and the preceptor are pure, and the procedure is correctly followed.
The Story of Full Ordination through Going to the Three Refuges is Finished