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speak, most took vows to become bhikkhus. The bhikkhus who had left Isipatana to spread the teaching brought back many more young
men who also wished to become monks. The number of disciples soon swelled.
One day the Buddha gathered the sangha in the Deer Park and said, “Bhikkhus! It is no longer necessary for me personally to ordain
every new bhikkhu or for everyone who wishes to be ordained to come to Isipatana. Those who wish to receive ordination should be able
to do so in their own villages, in the presence of their friends and families. And, like you, I too would like to be free to remain here and to
travel from here. Henceforth, when you meet a sincere and aspiring new bhikkhu, you may ordain him wherever you may be.”
Kondanna stood up and joined his palms. “Master, please show us the way to organize a ceremony of ordination. Then we can do it by
ourselves in the future.”
The Buddha answered, “Please do as I have done in the past.”
Assaji stood up and said, “Master, your presence is so formidable, you do not need to perform a formal ceremony. But for the rest of
us, a formal procedure is needed. Brother Kondanna, perhaps you can suggest a form. The Buddha is here with us and he can add to your
suggestions.”
Kondanna was silent for a moment. Then he spoke, “Respected Buddha, I think the first step should be to have the aspiring bhikkhu
allow his hair and beard to be shaved. Then he can be instructed in the manner of wearing the robe. After he has put on his robe, he can
expose his right shoulder in the customary manner, and kneel before the monk giving the ordination. It is proper to kneel as the monk giving
the ordination is serving as the representative of the Buddha. The one being ordained can hold his palms together like a lotus bud and recite
three times, ‘I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life. I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding
and love. I take refuge in the Sangha, the community that lives in harmony and awareness.’ After repeating these refuges, he will be
considered a bhikkhu in the community of the Buddha. But this is only my poor suggestion. Please, Teacher, correct it.”
The Buddha answered, “It is most fine, Brother Kondanna. Reciting the three refuges three times while kneeling before an already
ordained bhikkhu shall be sufficient to become an ordained bhikkhu.”
The community was happy with this decision.
A few days later the Buddha put on his robe, lifted his bowl, and left Isipatana on his own. It was an especially beautiful morning. He
headed towards the Ganga River to return to Magadha.