Lives of Alcyone

So he spoke to Ajax and told her all; and though at first with
many tears she tried to shake his resolution, when she found that it
was unalterable she also rose to the height of the sacrifice, and
declared that since he intended to join the Sangha she also for his
sake, since she could never forget him or love another, would take
up the religious life and become a nun. This she did, and she
faithfully kept her vow.
Young as he was, this love affair had an enormous influence
in his life. In many ways it made a man of him, there and then; and
when the scene was over, and vows of eternal fidelity—yet also of
eternal separation—had been exchanged, he went straight to his
mother, told her the whole story from beginning to end, and
announced that he could keep his vow only if he were allowed
instantly to become a samanera , or probationer, and so were
permitted to enter the monastery. The mother understood, and
though she wept for the suffering through which her son had
passed, she at the same time rejoiced that he had been strong
enough for this great act of renounciation, and that now he was
really resolved to dedicate his life to the noblest of all objects. So the
boy went with her to his father, and rather announced his intention of
assuming the yellow robe than asked permission to do so. The
father applauded the idea, though he himself was far from wishing to
imitate it, and the great ceremony of the upsampada , or
consecration, took place as soon as possible.
It was very different in its ornate ritual from the simple yet
most impressive ceremony by which the Lord Buddha Himslef had
received him during his previous birth. Then he had simply bowed
before the Lord, had answered searching questions, and made
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