[317] Bhikkhus, some time later, while still young, a black-haired young man endowed with the blessing of youth, in the first stage of life — though my mother and father did not wish it, and wept with tearful faces — I shaved off my hair and beard, put on the ochre robes, and went forth from home into homelessness. Having thus gone forth, seeking what is wholesome (kusala), searching for the unsurpassed, supreme state of peace, I approached Āḷāra Kālāma and, having approached, said to Āḷāra Kālāma: 'Friend Kālāma, I wish to live the holy life (brahmacariya) in this Dhamma and Discipline.' When this was said, bhikkhus, Āḷāra Kālāma said to me: 'Let the venerable one stay. This Dhamma is such that a wise person can, in no long time, realize his own teacher's doctrine for himself with direct knowledge (abhiññā) and dwell having attained it.' Bhikkhus, in no long time, quickly indeed, I mastered that Dhamma. To the extent of mere lip-reciting and mere rehearsal of words, I spoke the doctrine of knowledge (ñāṇa) and the doctrine of the elders, and I claimed 'I know, I see' — both I and others. Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'It is not through mere faith (saddhā) alone that Āḷāra Kālāma declares: "Having realized it for myself with direct knowledge, I dwell having attained this Dhamma." Surely Āḷāra Kālāma dwells knowing and seeing this Dhamma.'
Then, bhikkhus, I approached Āḷāra Kālāma and, having approached, said to Āḷāra Kālāma: 'Friend Kālāma, to what extent do you declare this Dhamma, having realized it for yourself with direct knowledge and attained it?' When this was said, bhikkhus, Āḷāra Kālāma declared the base of nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana). Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'It is not only Āḷāra Kālāma who has faith; I too have faith. It is not only Āḷāra Kālāma who has energy; I too have energy. It is not only Āḷāra Kālāma who has mindfulness; I too have mindfulness. It is not only Āḷāra Kālāma who has concentration (samādhi); I too have concentration. It is not only Āḷāra Kālāma who has wisdom (paññā); I too have wisdom. What if I were to strive for the realization of that Dhamma of which Āḷāra Kālāma declares: "Having realized it for myself with direct knowledge, I dwell having attained it"?' Bhikkhus, in no long time, quickly indeed, having realized that Dhamma for myself with direct knowledge, I dwelt having attained it.
Then, bhikkhus, I approached Āḷāra Kālāma and, having approached, said to Āḷāra Kālāma: 'Friend Kālāma, is it to this extent that you declare this Dhamma, having realized it for yourself with direct knowledge and attained it?' 'It is to this extent, friend, that I declare this Dhamma, having realized it for myself with direct knowledge and attained it.' 'I too, friend Kālāma, to this extent dwell in this Dhamma, having realized it for myself with direct knowledge and attained it.' 'It is a gain for us, friend; it is well gained by us, friend, that we see a venerable one such as this as a companion in the holy life. Thus, the Dhamma that I declare, having realized it for myself with direct knowledge and attained it — in that Dhamma you dwell, having realized it for yourself with direct knowledge and attained it; the Dhamma in which you dwell, having realized it for yourself with direct knowledge and attained it — that Dhamma I declare, having realized it for myself with direct knowledge and attained it. Thus, the Dhamma that I know, you know; the Dhamma that you know, I know. As I am, so are you; as you are, so am I. Come now, friend, let the two of us dwell together and lead this community.' Thus, bhikkhus, Āḷāra Kālāma, being my teacher, set me, his pupil, on an equal footing with himself, and honored me with lofty honor.
Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'This Dhamma does not lead to disenchantment (nibbidā), nor to dispassion (virāga), nor to cessation, nor to peace (upasama), nor to direct knowledge, nor to full awakening (sambodhi), nor to Nibbāna, but only as far as rebirth in the base of nothingness.' So, bhikkhus, finding that Dhamma insufficient, disappointed with that Dhamma, I departed.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.