Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c9.s8.3

c9.s8.3

The Pravrajyā and Upasampadā are to be effected by an Ācārya and Upādhyāya. If any body seeks pravrajyā, he should be first asked about the restrictions (antarāyikān dharmān)² and then he is to take triśaraṇa, five śikṣāpadas, and the upāsakasaṃvaras (the disciplines that a layman can undertake, viz., the 8 śīlas) by uttering thrice the usual Hinayāna formulæ. Then for ordination he formally entreats the Ācārya and Upādhyāya who consent to ordain him. His head is shaved and he is told that he is now different from a gṛhī, and is asked whether he is willing to continue to be so. On his answering in the affirmative, he is bathed in the waters of the four oceans³ and clad in yellow robes, and is asked to utter thrice that he, so-and-so, gives up for his whole life the dress of a householder and adopts that of a monk.