[118] Then the Blessed One, having dwelt at Rājagaha for as long as he wished, set out on tour toward Kapilavatthu, and wandering on tour by stages, he arrived at Kapilavatthu. There the Blessed One dwelt among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodhārāma. Then in the morning, the Blessed One, having dressed and taking his bowl and robe, approached the residence of Suddhodana the Sakyan; having approached, he sat down on the seat prepared for him. Then the queen who was Rāhula's mother said to the boy Rāhula: "Rāhula, that is your father. Go and ask for your inheritance." Then the boy Rāhula approached the Blessed One; having approached, he stood before the Blessed One and said: "Pleasant is your shadow, ascetic." Then the Blessed One rose from his seat and departed. Then the boy Rāhula followed close behind the Blessed One, saying: "Give me my inheritance, ascetic! Give me my inheritance, ascetic!"
Then the Blessed One addressed the venerable Sāriputta: "Well then, Sāriputta, give the boy Rāhula the going forth (pabbajjā)."
"How, venerable sir, shall I give the boy Rāhula the going forth?"
Then the Blessed One, having given a talk on the Dhamma with reference to that occasion, with reference to that incident, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow the going forth as a novice (sāmaṇera) by the three goings for refuge (saraṇagamana). And thus, bhikkhus, should the going forth be given: first, having had the hair of the head and beard shaved off, having had him clothed in ochre robes, having had him arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, having had him pay homage at the feet of the bhikkhus, having had him sit down on his heels and raise his joined palms, he should be told: 'Say thus:—
"'To the Buddha I go for refuge;
to the Dhamma I go for refuge;
to the Saṅgha I go for refuge.
For a second time, to the Buddha I go for refuge;
for a second time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge;
for a second time, to the Saṅgha I go for refuge.
For a third time, to the Buddha I go for refuge;
for a third time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge;
for a third time, to the Saṅgha I go for refuge.'
"Bhikkhus, I allow the going forth as a novice by these three goings for refuge."
Then the venerable Sāriputta gave the boy Rāhula the going forth.
Then Suddhodana the Sakyan approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Suddhodana the Sakyan said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, I ask one boon of the Blessed One."
"Gotama, the Tathāgatas have passed beyond the granting of boons."
"Venerable sir, it is one that is fitting and blameless."
"Speak of it, Gotama."
"Venerable sir, when the Blessed One went forth, no small suffering arose in me; likewise with Nanda; with Rāhula it was extreme. Love for a son, venerable sir, cuts through the skin; having cut through the skin, it cuts through the hide; having cut through the hide, it cuts through the flesh; having cut through the flesh, it cuts through the sinews; having cut through the sinews, it cuts through the bones; having cut through the bones, it reaches the marrow and remains there. It would be good, venerable sir, if the noble ones would not give the going forth to a son without the permission of his mother and father."
Then the Blessed One instructed, inspired, roused, and gladdened Suddhodana the Sakyan with a talk on the Dhamma. Then Suddhodana the Sakyan, having been instructed, inspired, roused, and gladdened by the Blessed One with a talk on the Dhamma, rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping his right side toward him, and departed.
Then the Blessed One, having given a talk on the Dhamma with reference to that occasion, with reference to that incident, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, a son without the permission of his mother and father should not be given the going forth. Whoever should give it: an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa)."
Then the Blessed One, having dwelt at Kapilavatthu for as long as he wished, set out on tour toward Sāvatthī, and wandering on tour by stages, he arrived at Sāvatthī. There the Blessed One dwelt at Sāvatthī, in the Jetavana, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.