[274] "Kassapa, one who was formerly a member of another sect (aññatitthiyapubba), who wishes for the going forth (pabbajjā) and wishes for the higher ordination (upasampadā) in this Dhamma and Discipline, must live on probation (parivāsa) for four months. At the end of four months, the bhikkhus, their minds being satisfied, give him the going forth and give him the higher ordination to the state of a bhikkhu. Yet I recognize individual differences in this matter."
"Venerable sir, if one formerly of another sect who wishes for the going forth and wishes for the higher ordination in this Dhamma and Discipline must live on probation for four months, and at the end of four months the bhikkhus, their minds being satisfied, give him the going forth and give him the higher ordination to the state of a bhikkhu, then I will live on probation for four years; at the end of four years let the bhikkhus, their minds being satisfied, give me the going forth and give me the higher ordination to the state of a bhikkhu."
And the naked ascetic (acela) Kassapa received the going forth and received the higher ordination in the presence of the Blessed One. Not long after his ordination, the venerable Kassapa, dwelling alone, secluded, diligent, ardent, and resolute, before long realized for himself with direct knowledge (abhiññā), in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life (brahmacariya) for the sake of which sons of good family rightly go forth from the household life into homelessness, and having attained it he dwelt therein. He knew: "Birth is destroyed, the holy life has been lived, what was to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this state of being." And the venerable Kassapa became one of the arahants.
Here ends the Mahāsīhanāda Sutta, the eighth.
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The Poṭṭhapāda Sutta, the ninth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.