[54] Vāseṭṭha, King Pasenadi of Kosala knows: "The ascetic Gotama, the unsurpassed, has gone forth from the Sakyan clan." And the Sakyans, Vāseṭṭha, are immediate vassals of King Pasenadi of Kosala. The Sakyans, Vāseṭṭha, show deference to King Pasenadi of Kosala — bowing down, rising up, salutation with joined palms, and proper acts of respect. Thus, Vāseṭṭha, whatever deference the Sakyans show to King Pasenadi of Kosala — bowing down, rising up, salutation with joined palms, and proper acts of respect — that same deference — bowing down, rising up, salutation with joined palms, and proper acts of respect — King Pasenadi of Kosala shows to the Tathāgata, [thinking:] "Surely the ascetic Gotama is well-born, while I am ill-born; the ascetic Gotama is mighty, while I am weak; the ascetic Gotama is graceful, while I am ill-favoured; the ascetic Gotama is of great influence, while I am of little influence." Indeed, it is out of honoring the Dhamma itself, revering the Dhamma, esteeming the Dhamma, venerating the Dhamma, and paying homage to the Dhamma that King Pasenadi of Kosala thus shows deference to the Tathāgata — bowing down, rising up, salutation with joined palms, and proper acts of respect. By this method, Vāseṭṭha, it should be understood how the Dhamma is the best among this people, both in this very life and in the life to come.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.