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I, 53, 1. ADMISSION TO THE ORDER OF BHIKKHUS. 205
on a boy under fifteen years of age, and these boys are under fifteen years of age. What can be done in order that these boys may not perish ?' And the venerable Ânanda told this thing to the Blessed One.
Are these boys able, Ananda, to scare crows ?' *They are, Lord.
In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, after having delivered a religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to confer the pabbaggâ ordination on crow-keeper boys even under fifteen years of age.'
52.
At that time the venerable Upananda, of the Sakya tribe, had two novices, Kandaka and Mahaka; these committed sodomy with each other. The Bhikkhus were annoyed, &c. : How can novices abandon themselves to such bad conduct ?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One, &c.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, ordain two novices. He who does, is guilty of a dukkata offence?'
53. 1. At that time the Blessed One dwelt at Râgagaha during the rainy season, and remained at the same place during winter and summer. The people were annoyed, &c. : 'The (four) regions are? .... and
1 This seems very unpractical: and the rule is accordingly practically abrogated again by chapter 55.
We must leave áhundarikâ' untranslated; Buddhaghosa says nothing about this obscure word.
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