8 Kinds of Ordination

1.  ‘Ehi Bhikkhu……’    ‘Come, O monks….’

Monks going to Als-Round

This was the first kind of ordination. After listening to the discourse, any matured person who was convinced of the Dhamma, could be ordained by the Buddha in this manner. Buddha stretched his right palm and say Ehi Bhikkhu and the man would be accepted into the order. He would don his robe and shaved his head. This ordination became higher ordination at the same time. Today the tradition is different as both ordination and higher ordination are on 2 occasions. (Pabbajjan is ordination, i.e. entrance to the order. Upasampada is higher ordination.) 

Tihi Sarana gamana pabbajja

Tihi Sarana gamana pabbajja

Initially, only Buddha could ordain monks. This became time and energy consuming. Buddha then said to his monks “O monks, I advise you to give ordination and higher ordination wherever you are. Today, I’m going to share with you the ordination process. From today onwards, you will be able to ordain others.” Ordination process introduced by Buddha: - where the monks take refuge in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

 Third kind of ordination – Natthi Catutthakamma upasampada

Monks paying Homage to the Seniors

Sariputta ordained a very old Brahmin, Radha. Some Sangha members objected. Radha, he turned pale and emaciated on being refused ordination.  The request was then put forward to the Sangha. There is no need to depend on a single individual for ordination.

Buddha enjoined the monks to confer higher ordination by the motion followed by three announcements. It is a procedure whereby the Sangha gathers to hear the motion that so-and-so requests Acceptance into the Sangha, and then listens in silence to three announcements. If there is no objections as indicated by silence, the person is accepted as a monk under a preceptor.

This is the standard procedure for conferring higher ordination in all Theravadan countries today.

 Fourth kind of ordination – Ovadapatiggahana  (Acceptance of advice)

The acceptance of 3 sermons given to Mahakassapa by the Buddha was sufficient for him to be admitted into the order.

1. One should develop a keen sense of shame and fear of wrong doing towards all monks in the Sangha
2. One should listen attentively, examine and reflect and then absorb wholesome teachings
3. One should always train in Mindfulness.

 Fifth kind of ordination – Panhabyakarana (Answering questions)

Seeking the path of Liberation

Answering questions set by the Buddha to Boy, Sopaka was sufficient for him to be admitted into the order.

1. What is one? All beings are sustained by food
2. What are the two? Name and form
3. What are the three? The three sensations
4. What are the four? The four Noble truths
5. …………five? Clinging to the 5 aggregates
6. ………    six?  Six sense bases
7. ………seven? Seven factors of enlightenment
8. ……… eight? Eightfold Noble Path
9. ………..nine? Nine abodes of beings
10. …………ten? Ten qualities of arahant

Sopaka was born of low caste parents. His father died when he was a baby and his mother remarried. His stepfather disliked him very much and one day became angry when Sopaka quarreled with his own son. He dragged Sopaka off to the cemetery and tied him to a dead body. Sopaka was saved by the Buddha who preached to him and he realized first stage of Sainthood. His mother searching for Sopaka was in despair and she sought Buddha’s help. He advised her that there was no purpose in looking for children and relatives without seeking for path of deliverance. She realized first stage of Sainthood while Sopaks realized Arahantship. He was seven years old only. 

 Sixth kind of ordination – Atthagarudhamma (Acceptance of eight strict rules)

Bhikkhuni Order

Mahapajapati Gotami was eventually accepted into the order by agreeing to accept the eight strict rules in accordance to Bhikkhuni Khandhaka of the Cullavagga Pali.

Seventh kind of ordination – Duta (Through an emissary)

With reference to a former courtesan, Addhakasi; the Buddha empowered the monks to confer Higher Ordination through an emissary 

Eighth kind of ordination – Atthavacika (Pronouncement of eight times)

Pronouncement of eight times

Motion and announcement are pronounced eight times before both monk and nun communities.

 Previously, ordination and higher ordination were conferred at the same time. However there were a group of monks who misbehaved, they reiterated that they did not request for higher ordination. Hence, upasampada was made on a separate occasion to be witnessed by a group of monks and the samanera or novice has to request from the Sangha thrice for higher ordination.