[51] Now at that time a great Saṅgha of **bhikkhus** was residing in the capital city of Bandhumatī — six million eight hundred thousand bhikkhus. Then, Bhikkhus, as the Blessed One Vipassī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, was in seclusion, gone into private retreat, this reflection arose in his mind: "Great indeed is the Saṅgha of bhikkhus now residing in the capital city of Bandhumatī — six million eight hundred thousand bhikkhus. What if I were to give the bhikkhus leave: 'Wander forth, bhikkhus, on tour for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. Let not two go by one way. Teach, bhikkhus, the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with its meaning and with its phrasing; proclaim the holy life (brahmacariya) entirely complete and pure. There are beings here with little dust in their eyes; through not hearing the Dhamma they are falling away. There will be those who understand the Dhamma. Moreover, at the passing of each six years, the capital city of Bandhumatī should be approached for the recitation of the Pātimokkha.'"
Then, Bhikkhus, a certain Great Brahmā (Mahābrahmā), having known with his own mind the reflection in the mind of the Blessed One Vipassī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One — just as a strong man might stretch out his bent arm or bend back his outstretched arm — vanished from the Brahmā world and appeared before the Blessed One Vipassī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One.
Then, Bhikkhus, that Great Brahmā, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, having raised his joined palms in reverence toward the Blessed One Vipassī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, said this to the Blessed One Vipassī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One: "So it is, Blessed One! So it is, Sublime One! Great indeed, venerable sir, is the Saṅgha of bhikkhus now residing in the capital city of Bandhumatī — six million eight hundred thousand bhikkhus. Venerable sir, let the Blessed One give the bhikkhus leave: 'Wander forth, bhikkhus, on tour for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. Let not two go by one way. Teach, bhikkhus, the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with its meaning and with its phrasing; proclaim the holy life entirely complete and pure. There are beings here with little dust in their eyes; through not hearing the Dhamma they are falling away. There will be those who understand the Dhamma.' And moreover, venerable sir, we shall so act that at the passing of each six years the bhikkhus will approach the capital city of Bandhumatī for the recitation of the Pātimokkha."
Thus spoke, Bhikkhus, that Great Brahmā. Having said this, having paid homage to the Blessed One Vipassī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, and having circumambulated him keeping him to his right, he vanished right there.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.