The Motives and Challenges of Ordination : หน้า 24/105

Even when the individual knows about the benefits of ordination, it is no small task to give up family and worldly possessions for the sake of Dhamma. The individual must have a strong inner desire, love and support from family and close friends, plus the merit accrued over previous lifetimes. Lord Buddha told the story of his ordination to his disciples as follows. At the time he was young, his hair was dark, and he was full of youthful vitality. His parents did not want him to enter the monkhood and they despaired at his decision. Eventually, despite their dissuasion he went ahead and shaved his head, dressed himself in monks’ robes, and left his home to live a life free from worldly possessions. Motives for Ordination during the Time of Lord Buddha During the time of Lord Buddha, men were motivated to be ordained because of the prevalence of faith in their life for the teachings of Lord Buddha, and in their desire to become an **Arahant**, a person who has rid his mind of all impurities. Some of these **Arahants** accumulated great merits over past lives. One child of only seven years of age even after listening only briefly to the teachings of Lord Buddha was immediately capable of understanding the existence of suffering in the world, and thus decided to be ordained without any hesitation. Even before the monks finished shaving his head, the boy had already become an **Arahant**. This Arahant’s name was Dabbamallaputta, one whose birth in this world was fraught with difficulty.