Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Mahavagga >> First Khandaka >> 1.55
Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg
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THE MAHAVAGGA
FIRST KHANDHAKA(THE FORMATION OF THE ORDER OF BHIKKHUS)
Chapter-55 : Buddha Allows Ordination of Two Novices.
Then the Lord Buddha, after having resided at Kapilavatthu as long as he thought fit, went forth to Savatthi. Wandering from place to place he came to Savatthi. There the Lord Buddha dwelt at Savatthi, in the Jetavana, the Arama(Monastery) of Anathapindika.
At that time a family who devoted themselves to the (especial) service of the venerable Sariputta sent a boy to the venerable Sariputta (with this message): 'Might the Thera confer the pabbajja ordination on this boy.' Now the venerable Sariputta thought: 'The Lord Buddha has established the rule that no one may ordain two novices, and I have already one novice, Rahula. Now what am I to do?' He told the thing to the Lord Buddha.
'I allow, O Bhikkhus(Monks), a learned, competent Bhikkhu to ordain two novices, or to ordain as many novices as he is able to administer exhortation and instruction to.'
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