1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.1.3Tena kho pana samayena sabhiyassa paribbājakassa purāṇasālohitāya devatāya pañhā uddiṭṭhā honti:Now at that time the wanderer Sabhiya had been presented with several questions by a deity who was a former blood relation, saying:1.4“yo te, sabhiya, samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ime pañhe puṭṭho byākaroti tassa santike brahmacariyaṁ careyyāsī”ti.“Sabhiya, you should live the spiritual life with whatever ascetic or brahmin answers these questions.”

2.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako tassā devatāya santike te pañhe uggahetvā ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā saṅghino gaṇino gaṇācariyā ñātā yasassino titthakarā sādhusammatā bahujanassa, seyyathidaṁ—Then Sabhiya, after learning those questions in the presence of that deity, approached those ascetics and brahmins who led an order and a community, and taught a community, who were well-known and famous religious founders, deemed holy by many people. That is,2.2pūraṇo kassapo makkhaligosālo ajito kesakambalo pakudho kaccāno sañcayo belaṭṭhaputto nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto—Pūraṇa Kassapa, the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla, Ajita of the hair blanket, Pakudha Kaccāyana, Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta, and the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan.2.3te upasaṅkamitvā te pañhe pucchati.And he asked them those questions,2.4Te sabhiyena paribbājakena pañhe puṭṭhā na sampāyanti;but they were stumped by them.2.5asampāyantā kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaronti.Displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness,2.6Api ca sabhiyaṁyeva paribbājakaṁ paṭipucchanti.they questioned Sabhiya in return.

3.1Atha kho sabhiyassa paribbājakassa etadahosi:Then Sabhiya thought,3.2“ye kho te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā saṅghino gaṇino gaṇācariyā ñātā yasassino titthakarā sādhusammatā bahujanassa, seyyathidaṁ—“Those famous ascetics and brahmins3.3pūraṇo kassapo …pe… nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto—3.4te mayā pañhe puṭṭhā na sampāyanti,were stumped by my questions.3.5asampāyantā kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaronti;Displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness,3.6api ca maññevettha paṭipucchanti.they questioned me in return on that matter.3.7Yannūnāhaṁ hīnāyāvattitvā kāme paribhuñjeyyan”ti.Why don’t I return to a lesser life so I can enjoy sensual pleasures?”

4.1Atha kho sabhiyassa paribbājakassa etadahosi:Then Sabhiya thought,4.2“ayampi kho samaṇo gotamo saṅghī ceva gaṇī ca gaṇācariyo ca ñāto yasassī titthakaro sādhusammato bahujanassa;“This ascetic Gotama also leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people.4.3yannūnāhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā ime pañhe puccheyyan”ti.Why don’t I ask him these questions?”

5.1Atha kho sabhiyassa paribbājakassa etadahosi:Then he thought,5.2“yepi kho te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā jiṇṇā vuḍḍhā mahallakā addhagatā vayoanuppattā therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghino gaṇino gaṇācariyā ñātā yasassino titthakarā sādhusammatā bahujanassa, seyyathidaṁ—“Even those ascetics and brahmins who are elderly and senior, who are advanced in years and have reached the final stage of life; who are senior, long standing, long gone forth; who lead an order and a community, and tutor a community; who are well-known and famous religious founders, deemed holy by many people—that is5.3pūraṇo kassapo …pe… nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto—Pūraṇa Kassapa and the rest—5.4tepi mayā pañhe puṭṭhā na sampāyanti,were stumped by my questions.5.5asampāyantā kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaronti, api ca maññevettha paṭipucchanti;They displayed annoyance, hate, and bitterness, and even questioned me in return.5.6kiṁ pana me samaṇo gotamo ime pañhe puṭṭho byākarissati.How can the ascetic Gotama possibly answer my questions,5.7Samaṇo hi gotamo daharo ceva jātiyā, navo ca pabbajjāyā”ti.since he is so young in age and newly gone forth?”

6.1Atha kho sabhiyassa paribbājakassa etadahosi:Then he thought,6.2“samaṇo kho daharoti na uññātabbo na paribhotabbo.“An ascetic should not be looked down upon or disparaged because they are young.6.3Daharopi cesa samaṇo gotamo mahiddhiko hoti mahānubhāvo, yannūnāhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā ime pañhe puccheyyan”ti.Though young, the ascetic Gotama has great psychic power and might. Why don’t I ask him these questions?”

7.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako yena rājagahaṁ tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.Then Sabhiya set out for Rājagaha.7.2Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena rājagahaṁ veḷuvanaṁ kalandakanivāpo, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.Traveling stage by stage, he came to Rājagaha, the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. He went up to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.7.3Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,7.4Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho sabhiyo paribbājako bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi—and addressed the Buddha in verse:

8.1“Kaṅkhī vecikicchī āgamaṁ,“I’ve come full of doubts and uncertainties,”8.2(iti sabhiyo)said Sabhiya,8.3Pañhe pucchituṁ abhikaṅkhamāno;“wishing to ask some questions.8.4Tesantakaro bhavāhi pañhe me puṭṭho,Please solve them for me.8.5Anupubbaṁ anudhammaṁ byākarohi me”.Answer my questions in turn, <j>in accordance with the truth.”

9.1“Dūrato āgatosi sabhiya,“You have come from afar, Sabhiya,”9.2(iti bhagavā)said the Buddha,9.3Pañhe pucchituṁ abhikaṅkhamāno;“wishing to ask some questions.9.4Tesantakaro bhavāmi pañhe te puṭṭho,I shall solve them for you,9.5Anupubbaṁ anudhammaṁ byākaromi te.answering your questions in turn, <j>in accordance with the truth.

10.1Puccha maṁ sabhiya pañhaṁ,Ask me your question, Sabhiya,10.2Yaṁ kiñci manasicchasi;whatever you want.10.3Tassa tasseva pañhassa,I’ll solve each and every10.4Ahaṁ antaṁ karomi te”ti.question you have.”

11.1Atha kho sabhiyassa paribbājakassa etadahosi:Then Sabhiya thought,11.2“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.“Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!11.3Yaṁ vatāhaṁ aññesu samaṇabrāhmaṇesu okāsakammamattampi nālatthaṁ taṁ me idaṁ samaṇena gotamena okāsakammaṁ katan”ti.Where those other ascetics and brahmins didn’t even give me a chance, the Buddha has invited me.”11.4Attamano pamudito udaggo pītisomanassajāto bhagavantaṁ pañhaṁ apucchi—Uplifted and elated, full of rapture and happiness, he asked this question.

12.1“Kiṁpattinamāhu bhikkhunaṁ,“What must one attain to be called a mendicant?”12.2(iti sabhiyo)said Sabhiya,12.3Sorataṁ kena kathañca dantamāhu;“How is one ‘gentle’, how said to be ‘tamed’?12.4Buddhoti kathaṁ pavuccati,How is one declared to be ‘awakened’?12.5Puṭṭho me bhagavā byākarohi”.May the Buddha please answer my question.”

13.1“Pajjena katena attanā,“When by the path they have walked themselves,”13.2(sabhiyāti bhagavā)said the Buddha to Sabhiya,13.3Parinibbānagato vitiṇṇakaṅkho;“they reach extinguishment, with doubt overcome;13.4Vibhavañca bhavañca vippahāya,giving up desire for existence or nonexistence,13.5Vusitavā khīṇapunabbhavo sa bhikkhu.their journey complete, their rebirths ended: <j>that is a mendicant.

14.1Sabbattha upekkhako satimā,Equanimous toward everything, mindful,14.2Na so hiṁsati kañci sabbaloke;they don’t harm anyone in the world.14.3Tiṇṇo samaṇo anāvilo,An ascetic who has crossed over, unclouded,14.4Ussadā yassa na santi sorato so.who has no pretensions, is gentle.

15.1Yassindriyāni bhāvitāni,Their faculties have been developed15.2Ajjhattaṁ bahiddhā ca sabbaloke;inside and out in the whole world.15.3Nibbijjha imaṁ parañca lokaṁ,Having pierced through this world and the next,15.4Kālaṁ kaṅkhati bhāvito sa danto.tamed, they await their time.

16.1Kappāni viceyya kevalāni,They have examined the eons in their entirety,¹16.2Saṁsāraṁ dubhayaṁ cutūpapātaṁ;and both sides of transmigration—<j>passing away and rebirth.16.3Vigatarajamanaṅgaṇaṁ visuddhaṁ,Rid of dust, unblemished, purified:16.4Pattaṁ jātikhayaṁ tamāhu buddhan”ti.the one they call ‘awakened’ has attained <j>the end of rebirth.”

17.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā attamano pamudito udaggo pītisomanassajāto bhagavantaṁ uttariṁ pañhaṁ apucchi—And then, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, uplifted and elated, full of rapture and happiness, Sabhiya asked another question:

18.1“Kiṁpattinamāhu brāhmaṇaṁ,“What must one attain to be called ‘brahmin’?”18.2(iti sabhiyo)said Sabhiya.18.3Samaṇaṁ kena kathañca nhātakoti;“Why is one an ‘ascetic’, and how a ‘bathed initiate’?18.4Nāgoti kathaṁ pavuccati,How is one declared to be a ‘giant’?18.5Puṭṭho me bhagavā byākarohi”.May the Buddha please answer my question.”

19.1“Bāhitvā sabbapāpakāni,“Having banished all bad things,”19.2(sabhiyāti bhagavā)said the Buddha to Sabhiya,19.3Vimalo sādhusamāhito ṭhitatto;“immaculate, well-composed, steadfast,19.4Saṁsāramaticca kevalī so,consummate, they’ve left transmigration behind:19.5Asito tādi pavuccate sa brahmā.unattached, one such is called ‘brahmin’.²

20.1Samitāvi pahāya puññapāpaṁ,An assuaged one who has given up good and evil,20.2Virajo ñatvā imaṁ parañca lokaṁ;stainless, understanding this world and the next,20.3Jātimaraṇaṁ upātivatto,gone beyond rebirth and death:20.4Samaṇo tādi pavuccate tathattā.one such is rightly called ‘ascetic’.

21.1Ninhāya sabbapāpakāni,Having washed off all bad things21.2Ajjhattaṁ bahiddhā ca sabbaloke;inside and out in the whole world,21.3Devamanussesu kappiyesu,among gods and humans bound to creations,21.4Kappaṁ neti tamāhu nhātakoti.the one they call ‘washed’ does not return to creation.

22.1Āguṁ na karoti kiñci loke,They do nothing monstrous at all in the world,22.2Sabbasaṁyoge visajja bandhanāni;discarding all yokes and bonds,22.3Sabbattha na sajjatī vimutto,everywhere not stuck, freed:22.4Nāgo tādi pavuccate tathattā”ti.one such is rightly called ‘giant’.”

23.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako …pe… bhagavantaṁ uttariṁ pañhaṁ apucchi—And then Sabhiya asked another question:

24.1“Kaṁ khettajinaṁ vadanti buddhā,“Who is a ‘field-victor’ according to the Buddhas?”³24.2(iti sabhiyo)said Sabhiya,24.3Kusalaṁ kena kathañca paṇḍitoti;“Why is one ‘skillful’, and how ‘an astute scholar’?24.4Muni nāma kathaṁ pavuccati,How is one declared to be a ‘sage’?24.5Puṭṭho me bhagavā byākarohi”.May the Buddha please answer my question.”

25.1“Khettāni viceyya kevalāni,“They are victors on the fields of deeds in their entirety,”⁴25.2(sabhiyāti bhagavā)said the Buddha to Sabhiya,25.3Dibbaṁ mānusakañca brahmakhettaṁ;“the fields of gods, humans, and divinities;25.4Sabbakhettamūlabandhanā pamutto,released from the root bondage to all fields:25.5Khettajino tādi pavuccate tathattā.one such is rightly called ‘field-victor’.

26.1Kosāni viceyya kevalāni,They have examined the coffers in their entirety,26.2Dibbaṁ mānusakañca brahmakosaṁ;the coffers of gods, humans, and divinities;26.3Sabbakosamūlabandhanā pamutto,released from the root bondage to all coffers:26.4Kusalo tādi pavuccate tathattā.one such is rightly called ‘skillful’.

27.1Dubhayāni viceyya paṇḍarāni,They have examined whiteness⁵27.2Ajjhattaṁ bahiddhā ca suddhipañño;both inside and out; understanding purity,27.3Kaṇhaṁ sukkaṁ upātivatto,they have left dark and bright behind:27.4Paṇḍito tādi pavuccate tathattā.one such is rightly called ‘an astute scholar’.

28.1Asatañca satañca ñatvā dhammaṁ,Understanding the nature of the bad and the good28.2Ajjhattaṁ bahiddhā ca sabbaloke;inside and out in the whole world;28.3Devamanussehi pūjanīyo,one worthy of honor by gods and humans,28.4Saṅgaṁ jālamaticca so munī”ti.who has escaped from the net and the chain: <j>that is a sage.”

29.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako …pe… bhagavantaṁ uttariṁ pañhaṁ apucchi—And then Sabhiya asked another question:

30.1“Kiṁpattinamāhu vedaguṁ,“What must one attain <j>to be called ‘knowledge master’?”30.2(iti sabhiyo)said Sabhiya,30.3Anuviditaṁ kena kathañca viriyavāti;“Why is one ‘studied’, and how is one ‘heroic’?30.4Ājāniyo kinti nāma hoti,How to gain the name ‘thoroughbred’?30.5Puṭṭho me bhagavā byākarohi”.May the Buddha please answer my question.”

31.1“Vedāni viceyya kevalāni,“They have examined knowledges in their entirety,”31.2(sabhiyāti bhagavā)said the Buddha to Sabhiya,31.3Samaṇānaṁ yānidhatthi brāhmaṇānaṁ;“those that are current among ascetics and brahmins;31.4Sabbavedanāsu vītarāgo,rid of greed for all feelings,31.5Sabbaṁ vedamaticca vedagū so.having left all knowledges behind: <j>that is a knowledge master.

32.1Anuvicca papañcanāmarūpaṁ,Having studied proliferation and name & form32.2Ajjhattaṁ bahiddhā ca rogamūlaṁ;inside and out—the root of disease;32.3Sabbarogamūlabandhanā pamutto,released from the root bondage to all disease:32.4Anuvidito tādi pavuccate tathattā.one such is rightly called ‘studied’.

33.1Virato idha sabbapāpakehi,Refraining from all evil here,33.2Nirayadukkhaṁ aticca viriyavāso;heroic, he escapes from the suffering of hell;⁶33.3So vīriyavā padhānavā,he is heroic and energetic:33.4Dhīro tādi pavuccate tathattā.one such is rightly called ‘hero’.⁷

34.1Yassassu lunāni bandhanāni,Whoever’s bonds are cut,34.2Ajjhattaṁ bahiddhā ca saṅgamūlaṁ;the root of clinging inside and out;34.3Sabbasaṅgamūlabandhanā pamutto,released from the root bondage to all clinging:34.4Ājāniyo tādi pavuccate tathattā”ti.one such is rightly called ‘thoroughbred’.”

35.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako …pe… bhagavantaṁ uttariṁ pañhaṁ apucchi—And then Sabhiya asked another question:

36.1“Kiṁpattinamāhu sottiyaṁ,“What must one attain to be called ‘scholar’?”36.2(iti sabhiyo)said Sabhiya,36.3Ariyaṁ kena kathañca caraṇavāti;“Why is one ‘noble’, and how is one ‘well conducted’?36.4Paribbājako kinti nāma hoti,How to gain the name ‘wanderer’?36.5Puṭṭho me bhagavā byākarohi”.May the Buddha please answer my question.”

37.1“Sutvā sabbadhammaṁ abhiññāya loke,“One who has learned every teaching,”⁸37.2(sabhiyāti bhagavā)said the Buddha to Sabhiya,37.3Sāvajjānavajjaṁ yadatthi kiñci;“and has known for themselves what in the world <j>is blameworthy and blameless;37.4Abhibhuṁ akathaṅkathiṁ vimuttaṁ,a vanquisher, decided, liberated,37.5Anighaṁ sabbadhimāhu sottiyoti.untroubled everywhere: they call them ‘scholar’.

38.1Chetvā āsavāni ālayāni,Having cut off defilements and clingings,⁹38.2Vidvā so na upeti gabbhaseyyaṁ;being wise, they enter no womb.38.3Saññaṁ tividhaṁ panujja paṅkaṁ,They’ve cast aside the bog of the three perceptions,¹⁰38.4Kappaṁ neti tamāhu ariyoti.the one they call ‘noble’ does not return to creation.

39.1Yo idha caraṇesu pattipatto,One here who is accomplished <j>and skillful in all forms of good conduct;¹¹39.2Kusalo sabbadā ājānāti dhammaṁ;always understanding the teaching,39.3Sabbattha na sajjati vimuttacitto,everywhere not stuck, freed in mind,39.4Paṭighā yassa na santi caraṇavā so.who has no aversion: they are ‘well-conducted’.

40.1Dukkhavepakkaṁ yadatthi kammaṁ,They wander full of wisdom,40.2Uddhamadho tiriyaṁ vāpi majjhe;having banished any deed that results in suffering,40.3Paribbājayitvā pariññacārī,deceit and conceit, as well as greed and anger,40.4Māyaṁ mānamathopi lobhakodhaṁ;above, below, all round, between.40.5Pariyantamakāsi nāmarūpaṁ,They have made a limit on name and form;¹²40.6Taṁ paribbājakamāhu pattipattan”ti.the one they call a ‘wanderer’ <j>has reached their destination.”¹³

41.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā attamano pamudito udaggo pītisomanassajāto uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā bhagavantaṁ sammukhā sāruppāhi gāthāhi abhitthavi:And then, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, uplifted and elated, full of rapture and happiness, Sabhiya rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his cupped palms toward the Buddha, and extolled the Buddha in his presence with fitting verses:

42.1“Yāni ca tīṇi yāni ca saṭṭhi,“O one of vast wisdom, <j>there are three and sixty opinions¹⁴42.2Samaṇappavādasitāni bhūripañña;based on the doctrines of ascetics:42.3Saññakkharasaññanissitāni,they are expressions of perception, <j>based on perception.42.4Osaraṇāni vineyya oghatamagā.Having dispelled them all, <j>you passed over the dark flood.

43.1Antagūsi pāragū dukkhassa,You have gone to the end, gone beyond suffering,43.2Arahāsi sammāsambuddho khīṇāsavaṁ taṁ maññe;you are perfected, a fully awakened Buddha; <j>I think you have ended defilements.43.3Jutimā mutimā pahūtapañño,Brilliant, thoughtful, abounding in wisdom,43.4Dukkhassantakara atāresi maṁ.ender of suffering—you brought me across!

44.1Yaṁ me kaṅkhitamaññāsi,When you understood my uncertainty,44.2Vicikicchā maṁ tārayi namo te;you brought me beyond doubt—homage to you!44.3Muni monapathesu pattipatta,A sage, accomplished in the ways of sagacity,44.4Akhila ādiccabandhu soratosi.you are gentle, not hardhearted, <j>O Kinsman of the Sun.¹⁵

45.1Yā me kaṅkhā pure āsi,Any doubts that I once had,45.2Taṁ me byākāsi cakkhumā;you have answered for me, O Clear-eyed One.45.3Addhā munīsi sambuddho,Clearly you are a sage, an Awakened One,45.4Natthi nīvaraṇā tava.there are no hindrances in you.

46.1Upāyāsā ca te sabbe,All your distress46.2Viddhastā vinaḷīkatā;is blown away and mown down.46.3Sītibhūto damappatto,Cooled, tamed, steadfast:46.4Dhitimā saccanikkamo.truth is your strength.

47.1Tassa te nāganāgassa,O giant among giants, O great hero,47.2Mahāvīrassa bhāsato;when you are speaking47.3Sabbe devānumodanti,all the gods rejoice,47.4Ubho nāradapabbatā.including both Nārada and Pabbata.¹⁶

48.1Namo te purisājañña,Homage to you, O thoroughbred!48.2Namo te purisuttama;Homage to you, supreme among men!48.3Sadevakasmiṁ lokasmiṁ,In the world with its gods,48.4Natthi te paṭipuggalo.you have no rival.

49.1Tuvaṁ buddho tuvaṁ satthā,You are the Buddha, you are the Teacher,49.2Tuvaṁ mārābhibhū muni;you are the sage who has overcome Māra;49.3Tuvaṁ anusaye chetvā,you have cut off the underlying tendencies,49.4Tiṇṇo tāresimaṁ pajaṁ.you’ve crossed over, and you bring humanity across.

50.1Upadhī te samatikkantā,You have transcended attachments,50.2Āsavā te padālitā;your defilements are shattered;50.3Sīhosi anupādāno,you are a lion free of grasping,¹⁷50.4Pahīnabhayabheravo.with fear and dread given up.

51.1Puṇḍarīkaṁ yathā vaggu,Like a graceful lotus51.2Toye na upalimpati;to which water does not stick,51.3Evaṁ puññe ca pāpe ca,so both good and evil51.4Ubhaye tvaṁ na limpasi;do not stick to you.51.5Pāde vīra pasārehi,Stretch out your feet, great hero:51.6Sabhiyo vandati satthuno”ti.Sabhiya bows to the Teacher.”

52.1Atha kho sabhiyo paribbājako bhagavato pādesu sirasā nipatitvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then the wanderer Sabhiya bowed with his head to the Buddha’s feet and said,52.2“abhikkantaṁ, bhante …pe…“Excellent, sir! Excellent! …52.3esāhaṁ bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca;I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.52.4labheyyāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, labheyyaṁ upasampadan”ti.Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence?”

53.1“Yo kho, sabhiya, aññatitthiyapubbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ākaṅkhati pabbajjaṁ, ākaṅkhati upasampadaṁ, so cattāro māse parivasati; catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājenti, upasampādenti bhikkhubhāvāya.“Sabhiya, if someone formerly ordained in another sect wishes to take the going forth, the ordination in this teaching and training, they must spend four months on probation. When four months have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, they’ll give the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.53.2Api ca mettha puggalavemattatā viditā”ti.However, I recognize individual differences in this matter.”

54.1“Sace, bhante, aññatitthiyapubbā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ākaṅkhantā pabbajjaṁ, ākaṅkhantā upasampadaṁ cattāro māse parivasanti, catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājenti, upasampādenti bhikkhubhāvāya, ahaṁ cattāri vassāni parivasissāmi; catunnaṁ vassānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājentu upasampādentu bhikkhubhāvāyā”ti.“Sir, if four months probation are required in such a case, I’ll spend four years on probation. When four years have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, let them give me the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.”54.2Alattha kho sabhiyo paribbājako bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ alattha upasampadaṁ …pe…And the wanderer Sabhiya received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence.54.3aññataro kho panāyasmā sabhiyo arahataṁ ahosīti.And Venerable Sabhiya became one of the perfected.

54.4Sabhiyasuttaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.