[52] Then, bhikkhus, the Blessed One Vipassī, the Arahant (arahaṃ), the Perfectly Enlightened One (sammāsambuddha), having emerged from seclusion in the evening, addressed the bhikkhus (bhikkhu): "Here, bhikkhus, while I was gone into privacy, in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind: 'Great indeed is the Saṅgha of bhikkhus now residing in the royal capital Bandhumatī — six million eight hundred thousand bhikkhus. What if I were to allow the bhikkhus: 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 good, the welfare, and the happiness of devas and human beings. 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 who are falling away through not hearing the Dhamma; there will be those who understand the Dhamma. But at the passing of every six years, the royal capital 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 my mind, just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, vanished from the Brahmā world and appeared before me. Then, bhikkhus, that Great Brahmā, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder and raised his joined palms in salutation toward me, said this to me: 'So it is, Blessed One! So it is, Sublime One (sugata)! Great indeed, venerable sir, is the Saṅgha of bhikkhus now residing in the royal capital Bandhumatī — six million eight hundred thousand bhikkhus. Venerable sir, let the Blessed One allow the bhikkhus: 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 good, the welfare, and the happiness of devas and human beings. 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 who are falling away through not hearing the Dhamma; there will be those who understand the Dhamma. And further, venerable sir, we shall so act that at the passing of every six years the bhikkhus will approach the royal capital Bandhumatī for the recitation of the Pātimokkha.' This, bhikkhus, is what that Great Brahmā said. Having said this, he paid homage to me, circumambulated me keeping his right side toward me, and vanished right there.
"I allow it, bhikkhus: wander forth on tour, for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, the welfare, and the happiness of devas and human beings. 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 who are falling away through not hearing the Dhamma; there will be those who understand the Dhamma. And further, we shall so act that at the passing of every six years the royal capital Bandhumatī is to be approached for the recitation of the Pātimokkha."
Then, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus for the most part set out on tour of the country that very day.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.