[34] Now at that time bhikkhus were bringing, from various quarters and various countries, those seeking the going forth (pabbajjā) and those seeking full ordination (upasampadā), thinking, "The Blessed One will give them the going forth, he will give them full ordination." Thereby both the bhikkhus and those seeking the going forth and those seeking full ordination were wearied.
Then, while the Blessed One was in seclusion, in retreat, this reflection arose in his mind: "At present bhikkhus are bringing, from various quarters and various countries, those seeking the going forth and those seeking full ordination, thinking, 'The Blessed One will give them the going forth, he will give them full ordination.' Thereby both the bhikkhus and those seeking the going forth and those seeking full ordination are wearied. What if I were to allow the bhikkhus: 'Bhikkhus, you yourselves may now, in those various quarters, in those various countries, give the going forth and give full ordination.'"
Then the Blessed One, having emerged from retreat in the evening, having had the Saṅgha of bhikkhus assembled, in that connection, on that account, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, while I was here in seclusion, in retreat, this reflection arose in my mind: 'At present bhikkhus are bringing, from various quarters and various countries, those seeking the going forth and those seeking full ordination, thinking, "The Blessed One will give them the going forth, he will give them full ordination." Thereby both the bhikkhus and those seeking the going forth and those seeking full ordination are wearied. What if I were to allow the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, you yourselves may now, in those various quarters, in those various countries, give the going forth and give full ordination."' Bhikkhus, I allow it: you yourselves may now, in those various quarters, in those various countries, give the going forth and give full ordination.
"And thus, bhikkhus, should one be given the going forth and given full ordination: First, having had his hair and beard shaved off, having had him clothed in the 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 in the squatting position and raise his joined palms in reverence, he should be told: 'Say thus:'
"'I go to the Buddha for refuge; I go to the Dhamma for refuge; I go to the Saṅgha for refuge. For a second time I go to the Buddha for refuge; for a second time I go to the Dhamma for refuge; for a second time I go to the Saṅgha for refuge. For a third time I go to the Buddha for refuge; for a third time I go to the Dhamma for refuge; for a third time I go to the Saṅgha for refuge.'
"Bhikkhus, I allow the going forth and full ordination by these three goings for refuge."
The Account of Full Ordination by the Three Goings for Refuge is concluded.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.