Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 156,382 words
The Mahavagga (part of the Vinaya collection) includes accounts of Gautama Buddha’s and the ten principal disciples’ awakenings, as well as rules for ordination, rules for reciting the Patimokkha during uposatha days, and various monastic procedures....
Mahavagga, Khandaka 1, Chapter 46
At that time a certain person who was in debt, ran away and was ordained with the Bhikkhus. When his creditors saw him, they said: 'There is our debtor; come, let us lead him (to prison).' But some people replied: 'Do not say so, Sirs. A decree has been issued by the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisāra: 'No one is to do any harm to those who are ordained with the Sakyaputtiya Samaṇas; well taught is their doctrine; let them lead a holy life for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.'
People were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'Indeed these Sakyaputtiya Samaṇas are secure from anything; it is not allowed to do anything to them. How can they ordain a debtor?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
“Let no debtor, O Bhikkhus, receive the pabbajjā ordination. He who confers the pabbajjā ordination (on a debtor), is guilty of a dukkaṭa offence.”