(Mv.I.12.1) [34] At that time, the monks were bringing those wanting the Going-forth and those wanting the Acceptance from many countries and many directions, (thinking,) “The Blessed One will give them the Going-forth and the Acceptance.” That tired the monks, along with those wanting the Going-forth and those wanting the Acceptance. Then, when the Blessed One was alone in seclusion, this train of thought arose in his awareness:

“At this time, the monks are bringing those wanting the Going-forth and those wanting the Acceptance from many countries and many directions, (thinking,) ‘The Blessed One will give them the Going-forth and the Acceptance.’

“That tires the monks, along with those wanting the Going-forth and those wanting the Acceptance.

“Why don’t I allow the monks: ‘Monks, you may now give the Going-forth and the Acceptance in whatever country, in whatever direction’?”

(Mv.I.12.2) Then, in the evening, rising from seclusion, the Blessed One, having assembled the Saṅgha of monks and given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, just now, when I was alone in seclusion, this train of thought arose in my awareness:

“‘At this time, the monks are bringing those wanting the Going-forth and those wanting the Acceptance from many countries and many directions, (thinking,) ‘The Blessed One will give them the Going-forth and the Acceptance.’

“‘That tires the monks, along with those wanting the Going-forth and those wanting the Acceptance.

“‘Why don’t I allow the monks: ‘Monks, you may now give the Going-forth and the Acceptance in whatever country, in whatever direction.’?

(Mv.I.12.3) “I allow you, monks, to now give the Going-forth and the Acceptance in whatever country, in whatever direction.[2]

“The Going-forth and Acceptance should be given like this:

“First — having gotten him to shave his head & beard, to clothe himself in ochre robes, to arrange his robe over one shoulder, to bow down at the feet of the monks, to sit in the kneeling position, and to raise his hands palm-to-palm in front of the heart — he should be told, ‘Say this:

(Mv.I.12.4) “‘“I go to the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Saṅgha for refuge. A second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge. A second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge. A second time, I go to the Saṅgha for refuge. A third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge. A third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge. A third time, I go to the Saṅgha for refuge.”’

“Monks, I allow the Going-forth and the Acceptance by means of these three goings for refuge.”