Mahavagga, Khandaka 1, Chapter 12

1. At that time the Bhikkhus brought (to Buddha), from different regions and different countries, persons who desired to obtain the pabbajjā andupasampadā ordinations, thinking: 'The Blessed One will confer on them the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations.' Thus both the Bhikkhus became tired (from the journey), and also those who desired to obtain the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations. Now when the Blessed One was alone and had retired into solitude, the following consideration presented itself to his mind: 'The Bhikkhus now bring to me from different regions and different countries persons who desire to obtain the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations, thinking: "The Blessed One will confer on them the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations." Now both the Bhikkhus become tired, and also those who desire to obtain the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations. What if I were to grant permission to the Bhikkhus, saying: "Confer henceforth, O Bhikkhus, in the different regions, and in the different countries, the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations yourselves (on those who desire to receive them)."'

2. And the Blessed One, having left the solitude in the evening, in consequence of that, and on this occasion, after having delivered a religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'When I was alone, a Bhikkhus, and had retired into solitude, the following consideration, &c. What if I were to permit, . . . .' (&c., as in § 1).

3. 'I grant you, O Bhikkhus, this permission: Confer henceforth in the different regions and in the different countries the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations yourselves (on those who desire to receive them). And you ought, O Bhikkhus, to confer the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations in this way: Let him (who desires to receive the ordination), first have his hair and beard cut off; let him put on yellow robes, adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder, salute the feet of the Bhikkhus (with his head), and sit down squatting; then let him raise his joined hands and tell him to say:

4. '"I take my refuge in the Buddha, I take my refuge in the Dhamma, I take my refuge in the Saṃgha. And for the second time I take (&c. . . . . Saṃgha). And for the third time I take my refuge in the Buddha, and for the third time I take my refuge in the Dhamma, and for the third time I take my refuge in the Saṃgha."

“I prescribe, a Bhikkhus, the pabbajjā and upasampadā ordinations consisting in the three times repeated declaration of taking refuge (in the holy triad).”

End of the account of the upasampadā ordination by the threefold declaration of taking refuge^[1].

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

On this ceremony, which is still gone through before the regular ordination, see the remarks in the note on chapter 1, §