[20] Now at that time the Venerable Mahākaccāna was dwelling in Avantī, at Kuraraghara, on Mount Papāta. And at that time the lay follower (upāsaka) Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa was the Venerable Mahākaccāna's attendant. Then the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahākaccāna and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna: "Venerable sir, in whatever way I understand the Dhamma taught by the master Mahākaccāna, it is not easy for one dwelling in a house to live the holy life (brahmacariya) that is utterly complete, utterly pure, polished like a conch shell. I wish, venerable sir, having shaved off hair and beard and put on the ochre robes, to go forth from the home life into homelessness. Venerable sir, may the master Mahākaccāna give me the going forth (pabbajjā)." When this was said, the Venerable Mahākaccāna said this to the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa: "It is difficult, Soṇa, to live for as long as life lasts the holy life of sleeping alone and eating a single meal. Come now, Soṇa, remaining a householder right there, devote yourself to the teaching of the Buddhas — to the holy life of sleeping alone and eating a single meal, suited to the proper occasions." Then that impulse toward going forth which had arisen in the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa subsided.
A second time the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa … A third time the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahākaccāna and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna: "Venerable sir, in whatever way I understand the Dhamma taught by the master Mahākaccāna, it is not easy for one dwelling in a house to live the holy life that is utterly complete, utterly pure, polished like a conch shell. I wish, venerable sir, having shaved off hair and beard and put on the ochre robes, to go forth from the home life into homelessness. Venerable sir, may the master Mahākaccāna give me the going forth." Then the Venerable Mahākaccāna gave the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa the going forth.
Now at that time the southern region of Avantī had few bhikkhus. So it was only after the passing of three years that the Venerable Mahākaccāna, with difficulty and with trouble, having assembled from here and there a Saṅgha of bhikkhus numbering ten, gave the Venerable Soṇa the full ordination (upasampadā).
Then, when the Venerable Soṇa had completed the rains residence and had gone into seclusion and retreat, this reflection arose in his mind: "I have only heard that the Blessed One is of such and such a nature; I have not seen him face to face. I would go to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, if my preceptor (upajjhāya) would allow me." Then in the evening the Venerable Soṇa, having emerged from retreat, approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahākaccāna and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Soṇa said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna: "Just now, venerable sir, as I had gone into seclusion and retreat, this reflection arose in my mind: 'I have only heard that the Blessed One is of such and such a nature; I have not seen him face to face. I would go to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, if my preceptor would allow me.' Venerable sir, I would go to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, if my preceptor allows me."
"Good, good, Soṇa! Go, Soṇa, to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One. You will see, Soṇa, that Blessed One, who is pleasing and inspiring confidence, of peaceful faculties and peaceful mind, attained to supreme taming and calm — tamed, guarded, his faculties restrained, a nāga. Then, Soṇa, in my name pay homage with your head at the feet of the Blessed One, saying: 'Venerable sir, my preceptor, the Venerable Mahākaccāna, pays homage with his head at the feet of the Blessed One.' And say this: 'Venerable sir, the southern region of Avantī has few bhikkhus. It was only after the passing of three years that I obtained the full ordination, with difficulty and with trouble, [my preceptor] having assembled from here and there a Saṅgha of bhikkhus numbering ten. Perhaps the Blessed One might allow, in the southern region of Avantī, full ordination by a smaller group. Venerable sir, in the southern region of Avantī the ground is dark-surfaced, rough, and cut up by cattle hooves. Perhaps the Blessed One might allow, in the southern region of Avantī, sandals with many linings. Venerable sir, in the southern region of Avantī people set great store by bathing and hold that water purifies. Perhaps the Blessed One might allow, in the southern region of Avantī, constant bathing. Venerable sir, in the southern region of Avantī hides serve as coverings — sheep hide, goat hide, deer hide. Just as, venerable sir, in the middle country there are the eragu, moragu, majjāru, and jantu grasses, even so, venerable sir, in the southern region of Avantī hides serve as coverings — sheep hide, goat hide, deer hide. Perhaps the Blessed One might allow, in the southern region of Avantī, hides as coverings — sheep hide, goat hide, deer hide. At present, venerable sir, people give robe-cloth for bhikkhus who have gone outside the boundary (sīmā), saying: "We give this robe to the one of such and such a name." When those [bhikkhus] return, they are informed: "Friend, a robe has been given to you by people of such and such names." But they, being scrupulous, do not consent to it, thinking: "Let it not become for us something entailing forfeiture (nissaggiya)." Perhaps the Blessed One might explain the procedure regarding robes.'"
"Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Soṇa replied to the Venerable Mahākaccāna, and rising from his seat, having paid homage to the Venerable Mahākaccāna and circumambulated him keeping his right side toward him, he set his lodging in order, took his bowl and robe, and set out for Sāvatthī. Traveling in stages, he came to Sāvatthī, to the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery, and approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda: "Ānanda, prepare a lodging for this incoming bhikkhu." Then the Venerable Ānanda [reflected]: "When the Blessed One commands me regarding some bhikkhu, 'Ānanda, prepare a lodging for this incoming bhikkhu,' the Blessed One wishes to dwell in the same dwelling with that bhikkhu. The Blessed One wishes to dwell in the same dwelling with the Venerable Soṇa." And he prepared a lodging for the Venerable Soṇa in the very dwelling in which the Blessed One was dwelling.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.