[292] When this was said, the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya said to the Blessed One: "Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent, Master Gotama! Just as if one were to set upright what had been overturned, or to reveal what was hidden, or to point out the way to one who was lost, or to hold up an oil lamp in the darkness, thinking, 'Those with eyes will see forms' — even so has the Dhamma been made clear in many ways by Master Gotama. I go to Master Gotama for refuge, and to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. May I receive the going forth (pabbajjā) in Master Gotama's presence; may I receive the higher ordination (upasampadā)."
"Māgaṇḍiya, one formerly of another sect who desires the going forth in this Dhamma and Discipline, who desires the higher ordination, lives on probation (parivāsa) for four months. At the end of four months, the bhikkhus, their minds being satisfied, give him the going forth and the higher ordination to the state of a bhikkhu. But herein I know the difference between individuals."
"Venerable sir, if those formerly of other sects who desire the going forth in this Dhamma and Discipline, who desire the higher ordination, live on probation for four months, and if at the end of four months the bhikkhus, their minds being satisfied, give the going forth and the higher ordination, then I shall live on probation for four years; at the end of four years let the bhikkhus, their minds being satisfied, give me the going forth and the higher ordination to the state of a bhikkhu."
And the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya received the going forth in the Blessed One's presence; he received the higher ordination. Not long after his higher ordination, the venerable Māgaṇḍiya, dwelling alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute, before long realized for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, and entered upon and dwelt in that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life for the sake of which sons of good family rightly go forth from the household life into homelessness. He knew directly: "Birth is exhausted, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this state of being." And the venerable Māgaṇḍiya became one of the arahants.
The Māgaṇḍiya Sutta, the fifth, is concluded.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.