[261] "Dear sir, have all ascetics and brahmins reached the ultimate conclusion, the ultimate security from the yoke, the ultimate holy life, the ultimate consummation?"
"No, lord of gods, not all ascetics and brahmins have reached the ultimate conclusion, the ultimate security from the yoke, the ultimate holy life, the ultimate consummation."
"But why, dear sir, have not all ascetics and brahmins reached the ultimate conclusion, the ultimate security from the yoke, the ultimate holy life, the ultimate consummation?"
"Lord of gods, those bhikkhus who are liberated through the destruction of craving (taṇhā) — they have reached the ultimate conclusion, the ultimate security from the yoke, the ultimate holy life, the ultimate consummation. Therefore not all ascetics and brahmins have reached the ultimate conclusion, the ultimate security from the yoke, the ultimate holy life, the ultimate consummation."
Thus did the Blessed One answer the question put by Sakka, lord of gods. Delighted, Sakka, lord of gods, rejoiced in and approved of the Blessed One's words: "So it is, Blessed One! So it is, Sublime One! Having heard the Blessed One's answer to the question, I have here crossed over doubt; my perplexity has departed."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.