[595] Now at that time the courtesan (gaṇikā) Aḍḍhakāsī had gone forth among the bhikkhunīs. And she wished to go to Sāvatthī, thinking, "I shall receive full ordination (upasampadā) in the presence of the Blessed One." Scoundrels heard, "It is said that the courtesan Aḍḍhakāsī wishes to go to Sāvatthī," and they lay in wait along the road. The courtesan Aḍḍhakāsī heard, "It is said that scoundrels are lying in wait along the road," and she sent a messenger into the presence of the Blessed One, saying, "I wish to receive full ordination; how, then, should I proceed?"
Then the Blessed One, on that account, in that connection, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow full ordination to be given even through a messenger."
They gave full ordination through a bhikkhu as messenger. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, she is not to be given full ordination through a bhikkhu as messenger; whoever should so ordain — an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa)."
They gave full ordination through a probationer (sikkhamānā) as messenger … They gave full ordination through a novice (sāmaṇera) as messenger … They gave full ordination through a female novice (sāmaṇerī) as messenger … They gave full ordination through a foolish, incompetent one as messenger. "Bhikkhus, she is not to be given full ordination through a foolish, incompetent one as messenger; whoever should so ordain — an offense of wrong-doing. Bhikkhus, I allow full ordination to be given through a competent, capable bhikkhunī as messenger.
"That messenger bhikkhunī should approach the Saṅgha, arrange her upper robe over one shoulder, pay homage at the feet of the bhikkhus, sit down on her heels, raise her joined palms, and speak thus:
"'Venerable sirs, the woman named so-and-so, who seeks full ordination under the lady named so-and-so, has been ordained on one side and is purified in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. She does not come because of some obstacle. Venerable sirs, the woman named so-and-so asks the Saṅgha for full ordination. Let the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, out of compassion raise her up.
"'Venerable sirs, the woman named so-and-so, who seeks full ordination under the lady named so-and-so, has been ordained on one side and is purified in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. She does not come because of some obstacle. For the second time, venerable sirs, the woman named so-and-so asks the Saṅgha for full ordination. Let the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, out of compassion raise her up.
"'Venerable sirs, the woman named so-and-so, who seeks full ordination under the lady named so-and-so, has been ordained on one side and is purified in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. She does not come because of some obstacle. For the third time, venerable sirs, the woman named so-and-so asks the Saṅgha for full ordination. Let the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, out of compassion raise her up.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.