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 50
At that time a certain family had died of pestilence[1]; only a father and his son were left; they received the pabbajjā ordination with the Bhikkhus and went together on their rounds for alms. Now that boy, when food was given to his father, ran up to him and said: 'Give some to me too, father; give some to me too, father.'
People were annoyed, &c.: 'These Sakyaputtiya Samaṇas live an impure life; this boy is a Bhikkhunī's son.'
Some Bhikkhus heard, &c.
They told this thing to the Blessed One, &c. 'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, confer the pabbajjā ordination on a boy under fifteen years of age. He who does, is guilty of a dukkaṭa offence.'
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Buddhaghosa explains abivātakaroga by māribyādhi, and says: 'When this plague befalls a house, men and beasts in that house die; but he who breaks through wall or roof, or is "rogā mādigato (?)," may be saved.'