Mahākhandhaka

The Mahākhandhaka, “the Great chapter”, begins by telling the story of the Buddha after his awakening. Three of the Buddha’s first and most well-known discourses—the Setting in motion of the wheel of the Teaching, the Characteristics of non-self, and the Discourse on fire—are given in full. As he starts to accumulate disciples, an ordination procedure gradually evolves. A large number of rules that concern ordination, especially about the eligibility of the candidate, are laid down, as are rules governing the relationship between teacher and student, including rules about novices.