He then had the Sangha of monks gathered and said to the dragon, “Dragons are unable to make progress on this spiritual path. Go, dragon, and keep the observance days of the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the lunar half-month. In this way you’ll be released from existence as a dragon and quickly become human.” When he heard this, the dragon wept. Sad and miserable, he cried out in distress and left.

And the Buddha addressed the monks: “There are two occasions when dragons appear in their own form: when they have sexual intercourse with each other, and when they relax and fall asleep. Monks, an animal shouldn’t be given the full ordination. If it has been given, it should be expelled.”

50. Matricides At one time there was a young brahmin who had murdered his mother. He was troubled, ashamed, and disgusted by what he had done, and he thought, “How can I escape from this terrible action?” It occurred to him, “These Sakyan monastics have integrity. They’re celibate and their conduct is good, and they’re truthful, moral, and have a good character. If I were to go forth with them, I might be released from this bad deed.”

He then went to the monks and asked for the going forth. The monks said to Upāli, “Previously a dragon appearing as a young brahmin asked for the going forth. So, please examine this young brahmin, Upāli.” The young brahmin told Upāli what had happened. Upāli told the monks, who in turn told the Buddha. “A matricide shouldn’t be given the full ordination. If it has been given, he should be expelled.”

51. Patricides