At that time monks who only had one or two years of seniority gave the full ordination, among them Venerable Upasena of Vaṅganta. After completing the rainy-season residence, he had two years of seniority and his student had one. The two of them went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down. Since it is the custom for Buddhas to greet newly-arrived monks,

the Buddha said to Upasena, “I hope you’re keeping well, monk, I hope you’re getting by? I hope you’re not tired from traveling?” “I’m keeping well, sir, I’m getting by. I’m not tired from traveling.” When Buddhas know what is going on, sometimes they ask and sometimes not. They know the right time to ask and when not to ask. Buddhas ask when it is beneficial, otherwise not, for Buddhas are incapable of doing what is unbeneficial. Buddhas question the monks for two reasons: to give a teaching or to lay down a training rule.

The Buddha said to Upasena, “How long have you been a monk?” “Two years, sir.” “And this monk?” “One year.” “And what’s his relationship to you?” “He’s my student.” The Buddha rebuked him, “It’s not suitable, foolish man, it’s not proper, it’s not worthy of a monastic, it’s not allowable, it’s not to be done. You ought to be taught and instructed by others. What, then, makes you think that you should teach and instruct another person? You have turned to indulgence too readily, that is, by forming a group. This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking him … he gave a teaching and addressed the monks: “You shouldn’t give the full ordination if you have less than ten years of seniority. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. I allow you to give the full ordination if you have ten or more years of seniority.”