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ADMISSION TO THE ORDER OF BHIKKHUS.
it first.'
tion first.' (The other said): 'Nay, I will receive The Theras said: 'Well, friends, let us ordain them altogether by one proclamation.' They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to ordain two or three persons by one proclamation, provided they have the same upagghâya, but not if they have different upagghâyas.'
229
75.
At that time the venerable Kumârakassapa had received the upasampadâ ordination when he had completed the twentieth year from his conception (but not from his birth). Now the venerable Kumârakassapa thought: 'The Blessed One has forbidden us to confer the upasampadâ ordination on persons under twenty years of age1, and I have completed my twentieth year (only) from my conception. Have I, therefore, received the upasampadâ ordination, or have I not received it ?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'When, O Bhikkhus, in the womb the first thought rises up (in the nascent being), the first consciousness manifests itself, according to this the (true) birth should be reckoned. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to confer the upasampadâ ordination on persons that have completed the twentieth year from their conception (only).'
1 See chap. 49. 6.
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