[90] Now at that time bhikkhus of one year's standing (vassa) and of two years' standing were giving full ordination (upasampadā) to pupils (saddhivihārika). The Venerable Upasena Vaṅgantaputta too, being of one year's standing, gave full ordination to a pupil. He, having completed the rains and being of two years' standing, took his pupil of one year's standing and approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side.
Now it is the custom of Buddhas, Blessed Ones, to exchange friendly greetings with incoming bhikkhus. Then the Blessed One said this to the Venerable Upasena Vaṅgantaputta: "Bhikkhus, I hope you are bearing up, I hope you are keeping going; I hope you have come along the road with little fatigue?"
"We are bearing up, Blessed One; we are keeping going, Blessed One; and we have come along the road, venerable sir, with little fatigue."
Tathāgatas ask even though they know, and even though they know they do not ask; knowing the proper time, they ask, and knowing the proper time, they do not ask. Tathāgatas ask about what is connected with benefit, not about what is unconnected with benefit; with regard to what is unconnected with benefit, the Tathāgatas have demolished the bridge. Buddhas, Blessed Ones, question bhikkhus for two reasons: thinking, "We shall teach the Dhamma," or "We shall lay down a training rule (sikkhāpada) for the disciples."
Then the Blessed One said this to the Venerable Upasena Vaṅgantaputta: "Of how many years' standing are you, bhikkhu?"
"I am of two years' standing, Blessed One."
"And of how many years' standing is this bhikkhu?"
"Of one year's standing, Blessed One."
"What is this bhikkhu to you?"
"He is my pupil, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "It is unsuitable, foolish man, unbecoming, improper, unworthy of an ascetic, not allowable, not to be done. How can you, foolish man — one who should himself be exhorted and instructed by others — think to exhort and instruct another? Too quickly, foolish man, have you turned to abundance, that is, to binding a group about yourself. This, foolish man, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence, nor for the increase of confidence in those already confident ..." Having rebuked him and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, one of less than ten years' standing should not give full ordination; whoever should give it commits an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa). Bhikkhus, I allow full ordination to be given by one of ten years' standing or of more than ten years' standing."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.