[108] Now at that time a certain debtor had fled and gone forth among the bhikkhus. The creditors, seeing him, said thus: "This is that debtor of ours; come, let us lead him away."
Some said thus: "Sirs, do not speak so. It has been allowed by Seniya Bimbisāra, king of Magadha: 'Those who go forth among the ascetics, sons of the Sakyans — nothing may be done to them. Well proclaimed is the Dhamma; let them live the holy life (brahmacariya) for the complete making of an end of suffering (dukkha).'"
People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "These ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, are givers of shelter from danger (abhayūvarā); nothing may be done to them. How indeed can they give the going forth to a debtor?"
They reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Bhikkhus, a debtor should not be given the going forth. Whoever should give it: an offence of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.