you feel yourself able to do so." So, granting his request, he took him to the Teacher.
The Teacher said, "What, Sir, have you then a son?"
"Yes, my Lord, this lad is my grandson, and he wants to take the vows under you."
The Teacher called a monk, and told him to ordain the lad: and the monk, repeating to him the formula of meditation on the perishable nature of the human body,[1] received him as a novice into the Order. After he had learnt by heart much scripture, and had reached the full age required, he was received into full membership; and applying himself to earnest thought, he attained the state of an Arahat. And whilst he was thus himself enjoying the delight which arises from wise and holy thoughts, and a wise and holy life, he considered whether he could not procure the same bliss for Little Roadling.
So he went to his grandfather, and said: "If, noble Sir, you will grant me your consent, I will receive Little Roadling into the Order!"
"Ordain him, reverend Sir," was the reply. The Elder accordingly initiated Little Roadling, and taught him to live in accordance with the Ten Commandments. But though he had reached the noviciate. Little Roadling was dull, and in four months he could not get by heart even this one verse —
As a sweet-smelling Kokanada lily
Blooming all fragrant in the early dawn.
Behold the Sage, bright with exceeding glory
E'en as the burning sun in the vault of heaven!
For long ago, we are told, in the time of Kassapa the Buddha, he had been a monk, who, having acquired learning himself, had laughed to scorn a dull brother as
- ↑ Taca-pañcaka-kammaṭṭhānaŋ, a formula always repeated at the ordination of a novice. The words of it will be found in Dickson's Upasampadā-Kammavācā, p. 7. Compare also the note above, p. 147.
