an.10.34 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Full Ordination

“Bhante, how many qualities should a bhikkhu possess to give full ordination?”

“A bhikkhu who possesses ten qualities, Upāli, may give full ordination. What ten? (1) Here, a bhikkhu is virtuous … he trains in them. (2) He has learned much … and penetrated well by view. (3) Both Pātimokkhas have been well transmitted to him in detail, well analyzed, well mastered, well determined in terms of the rules and their detailed explication. (4) He is able to look after a patient or to get someone else to look after him. (5) He is able to eliminate one’s dissatisfaction or to get someone else to eliminate it. (6) He is able to use the Dhamma to dispel regrets that might arise in his pupils. (7) He is able to dissuade them, by way of the Dhamma, from erroneous views that have arisen. (8) He is able to encourage them in the higher virtuous behavior. (9) He is able to encourage them in the higher mind. (10) He is able to encourage them in the higher wisdom. A bhikkhu who possesses these ten qualities may give full ordination.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Ordination

“Sir, how many qualities should a mendicant have to give ordination?”
“Upāli, a mendicant should have ten qualities to give ordination.
What ten?
It’s when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.
They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Both monastic codes have been passed down to them in detail, well analyzed, well mastered, well judged in both the rules and accompanying material.
They’re able to care for the sick or get someone else to do so.
They’re able to settle dissatisfaction or get someone else to do so.
They’re able to dispel remorse when it has come up.
They’re able to rationally dissuade someone from misconceptions that come up.
They’re able to encourage someone in the higher ethics,
the higher mind,
and the higher wisdom.
A mendicant should have these ten qualities to give ordination.”