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I, 47.
ADMISSION TO THE ORDER OF BHIKKHUS. 199
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 Bimbisâra: 'No one is to do any harm to those who are ordained with the Sakyaputtiya Samanas; 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 Samanas 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 pabbaggâ ordination. He who confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on a debtor), is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
47.
At that time a slave ran away and was ordained with the Bhikkhus. When his masters saw him, they said: There is our slave; come, let us lead him away (back to our house),' (&c., as in chap. 46).
'Let no slave, O Bhikkhus, receive the pabbaggâ ordination. He who confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on a slave), is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
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