[290] Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "Does the venerable one have a superhuman state (uttarimanussadhamma)?"
"Friends, it is not difficult to declare final knowledge (aññā)."
He became remorseful, thinking: "Those who are disciples of the Blessed One might speak thus; but I am not a disciple of the Blessed One. Could it be that I have committed an offense entailing defeat (pārājika)?" He informed the Blessed One of this matter. "Bhikkhu, what was your intention?" "Blessed One, I had no intention of boasting." "Bhikkhu, there is no offense (āpatti) for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "Does the venerable one have a superhuman state?" "Friends, the Dhamma can be attained by one who has aroused energy." He became remorseful. … "Bhikkhu, there is no offense for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "Friend, do not be afraid." "Friends, I am not afraid of death." He became remorseful. … "Bhikkhu, there is no offense for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "Friend, do not be afraid." "Friends, whoever would be remorseful — he might well be afraid." He became remorseful. … "Bhikkhu, there is no offense for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "Does the venerable one have a superhuman state?" "Friends, the Dhamma can be attained by one who is rightly applied." He became remorseful. … "Bhikkhu, there is no offense for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "Does the venerable one have a superhuman state?" "Friends, the Dhamma can be attained by one who has aroused energy." He became remorseful. … "Bhikkhu, there is no offense for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "Does the venerable one have a superhuman state?" "Friends, the Dhamma can be attained by one who applies himself in earnest." He became remorseful. … "Bhikkhu, there is no offense for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "We hope, friend, that you are bearing up; we hope that you are getting by?" "Friends, it cannot be endured by just anyone." He became remorseful. … "Bhikkhu, there is no offense for one who has no intention of boasting."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu was ill. The bhikkhus said to him: "We hope, friend, that you are bearing up; we hope that you are getting by?" "Friends, it cannot be endured by an ordinary person (puthujjana)." He became remorseful. … He informed the Blessed One of this matter. "Bhikkhu, what was your intention?" "Blessed One, I had the intention of boasting." "Bhikkhu, there is no offense entailing defeat; there is a grave offense (thullaccaya)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.