[138] Now at that time a wanderer (paribbājaka) named Subhadda was residing in Kusinārā. The wanderer Subhadda heard: "This very day, in the last watch of the night, the final Nibbāna (parinibbāna) of the ascetic (samaṇa) Gotama will take place." Then it occurred to the wanderer Subhadda: "I have heard it said by wanderers who are aged, venerable, teachers and teachers of teachers, that only sometimes, now and then, do Tathāgatas, Arahants, Fully Awakened Ones arise in the world. And this very day, in the last watch of the night, the final Nibbāna of the ascetic Gotama will take place. Now there is in me a matter of doubt that has arisen, and I have such confidence in the ascetic Gotama: the ascetic Gotama is able to teach me the Dhamma in such a way that I might abandon this matter of doubt."
Then the wanderer Subhadda went to the sāla grove of the Mallas at Upavattana, approached the Venerable Ānanda, and having approached, said to the Venerable Ānanda: "I have heard it said, worthy Ānanda, by wanderers who are aged, venerable, teachers and teachers of teachers, that only sometimes, now and then, do Tathāgatas, Arahants, Fully Awakened Ones arise in the world. And this very day, in the last watch of the night, the final Nibbāna of the ascetic Gotama will take place. Now there is in me a matter of doubt that has arisen, and I have such confidence in the ascetic Gotama: the ascetic Gotama is able to teach me the Dhamma in such a way that I might abandon this matter of doubt. It would be good, worthy Ānanda, if I might be allowed to see the ascetic Gotama." When this was said, the Venerable Ānanda said to the wanderer Subhadda: "Enough, friend Subhadda, do not trouble the Tathāgata; the Blessed One is weary." A second time the wanderer Subhadda … A third time the wanderer Subhadda said to the Venerable Ānanda: "I have heard it said, worthy Ānanda, by wanderers who are aged, venerable, teachers and teachers of teachers, that only sometimes, now and then, do Tathāgatas, Arahants, Fully Awakened Ones arise in the world. And this very day, in the last watch of the night, the final Nibbāna of the ascetic Gotama will take place. Now there is in me a matter of doubt that has arisen, and I have such confidence in the ascetic Gotama: the ascetic Gotama is able to teach me the Dhamma in such a way that I might abandon this matter of doubt. It would be good, worthy Ānanda, if I might be allowed to see the ascetic Gotama." A third time the Venerable Ānanda said to the wanderer Subhadda: "Enough, friend Subhadda, do not trouble the Tathāgata; the Blessed One is weary."
The Blessed One overheard this conversation between the Venerable Ānanda and the wanderer Subhadda. Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda: "Enough, Ānanda, do not obstruct Subhadda. Let Subhadda see the Tathāgata. Whatever Subhadda will ask me, he will ask it all seeking final knowledge, not seeking to trouble me; and whatever I answer when he questions me, that he will understand quickly."
Then the Venerable Ānanda said to the wanderer Subhadda: "Go, friend Subhadda; the Blessed One grants you the opportunity." Then the wanderer Subhadda approached the Blessed One, and having approached, exchanged greetings with the Blessed One; and when the courteous and memorable talk of greeting was concluded, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the wanderer Subhadda said to the Blessed One: "Worthy Gotama, those ascetics and brahmins who are heads of orders, heads of companies, teachers of companies, well known, famous, founders of sects, esteemed as good by the multitude—namely Pūraṇa Kassapa, Makkhali Gosāla, Ajita Kesakambala, Pakudha Kaccāyana, Sañjaya Velaṭṭhaputta, and Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta—have they all directly known according to their own claim, or have they all not directly known, or have some not directly known?"
"Enough, Subhadda, let that be—whether they have all directly known according to their own claim, or have all not directly known, or whether some have directly known and some have not directly known. I shall teach you the Dhamma, Subhadda; listen to it and attend well, I shall speak." "So be it, venerable sir," the wanderer Subhadda replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: "Subhadda, in whatever Dhamma and Discipline the Noble Eightfold Path (magga) is not found, there no ascetic is found, no second ascetic is found there, no third ascetic is found there, no fourth ascetic is found there. But, Subhadda, in whatever Dhamma and Discipline the Noble Eightfold Path is found, there an ascetic is found, a second ascetic is found there, a third ascetic is found there, a fourth ascetic is found there. In this Dhamma and Discipline, Subhadda, the Noble Eightfold Path is found: here alone, Subhadda, is the ascetic, here the second ascetic, here the third ascetic, here the fourth ascetic. The doctrines of others are empty of other ascetics. And if these bhikkhus, Subhadda, were to live rightly, the world would not be empty of arahants."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.