[109] Now at that time a certain slave, having run away, had gone forth among the bhikkhus. His masters (ayyikā), seeing him, said: "This is that slave of ours. Come, let us lead him away."
Some said: "Do not speak thus, sirs. It has been granted by Seniya Bimbisāra, King of Magadha: 'Those who go forth among the ascetics, the sons of the Sakyans — nothing may be done to them. Well proclaimed is the Dhamma; let them live the holy life for the complete ending of suffering (dukkha).'"
People looked down upon, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "These ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, enjoy immunity from harm; nothing can be done to them. How can they let a slave go forth?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Bhikkhus, a slave 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English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.