[116] Bhikkhus, again, a bhikkhu might speak thus: "In such-and-such a residence there dwells an elder bhikkhu, learned, one to whom the scriptural tradition has come down, a bearer of the Dhamma, a bearer of the Vinaya, a bearer of the summaries (mātikā). I have heard this in that elder's presence, received it in his presence: this is the Dhamma, this is the Vinaya, this is the Teacher's instruction." Bhikkhus, that bhikkhu's statement should neither be delighted in nor rejected. Without delighting in it and without rejecting it, having carefully learned those words and phrases, they should be checked against the Suttas and compared with the Vinaya. If, when they are being checked against the Suttas and compared with the Vinaya, they neither fit in when checked against the Suttas nor show up when compared with the Vinaya, then the conclusion should be reached here: … [the Pali elides: "Certainly this is not the word of that Blessed One, and it has been wrongly learned by that elder"; thus you should discard it. But if, when they are being checked against the Suttas and compared with the Vinaya, they do fit in when checked against the Suttas and do show up when compared with the Vinaya, then the conclusion should be reached here:] "Certainly this is the word of that Blessed One, and it has been rightly learned by that elder." Bhikkhus, you should bear in mind this fourth great authority (mahāpadesa). Bhikkhus, you should bear in mind these four great authorities.
There too, it is said, while dwelling at Bhoganagara at the Ānanda Shrine, the Blessed One frequently gave this very Dhamma talk to the bhikkhus: "Such is virtue (sīla), such is concentration (samādhi), such is wisdom (paññā). Concentration imbued with virtue is of great fruit and great benefit. Wisdom imbued with concentration is of great fruit and great benefit. The mind (citta) imbued with wisdom is rightly liberated from the taints (āsava), namely, the taint of sensuality, the taint of existence, and the taint of ignorance."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.