[318] "Bhikkhus, I, seeking what is wholesome (kiṃkusalagavesī), searching for the unsurpassed supreme state of peace (anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ), approached Uddaka Rāmaputta and, having approached, said to Uddaka Rāmaputta: 'Friend Rāma, I wish to live the holy life (brahmacariya) in this Dhamma and Discipline.' When this was said, bhikkhus, Uddaka Rāmaputta said to me: 'Let the venerable one dwell here. This Dhamma is such that a wise man would before long enter upon and dwell in his own teacher's doctrine, having realized it for himself with direct knowledge (abhiññā).' Bhikkhus, before long, quite quickly, I mastered that Dhamma. Bhikkhus, to that extent — by mere movement of the lips, by mere repetition of what was recited — I spoke the doctrine of knowledge (ñāṇavāda) and the doctrine of the elders (theravāda), and I claimed, 'I know, I see' — and so did others of me.
Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'It was not out of mere faith alone that Rāma declared of this Dhamma: "Having realized it for myself with direct knowledge, I enter upon and dwell in it." Certainly Rāma dwelt knowing and seeing this Dhamma.' Then, bhikkhus, I approached Uddaka Rāmaputta and, having approached, said to Uddaka Rāmaputta: 'Friend Rāma, to what extent was this Dhamma declared — realized for oneself with direct knowledge and entered upon?'
When this was said, bhikkhus, Uddaka Rāmaputta declared the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception (nevasaññānāsaññāyatana). Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'Not Rāma alone had faith; I too have faith. Not Rāma alone had energy … mindfulness … concentration (samādhi) … wisdom; I too have wisdom. Suppose I were to strive for the realization of that Dhamma of which Rāma declared: "Having realized it for myself with direct knowledge, I enter upon and dwell in it."' Bhikkhus, before long, quite quickly, I entered upon and dwelt in that Dhamma, having realized it for myself with direct knowledge. Then, bhikkhus, I approached Uddaka Rāmaputta and, having approached, said to Uddaka Rāmaputta: 'Friend Rāma, was it to this extent that this Dhamma was declared — realized for oneself with direct knowledge and entered upon?' 'It is to this extent, friend, that I declare this Dhamma, having realized it for myself with direct knowledge and entered upon it.' 'I too, friend, to this extent enter upon and dwell in this Dhamma, having realized it for myself with direct knowledge.'
'It is a gain for us, friend! It is well gained by us, friend, that we see such a venerable one as a fellow practitioner of the holy life. Thus the Dhamma that Rāma declared, having realized it for himself with direct knowledge and entered upon it — that Dhamma you enter upon and dwell in, having realized it for yourself with direct knowledge; and the Dhamma that you enter upon and dwell in, having realized it for yourself with direct knowledge — that Dhamma Rāma declared, having realized it for himself with direct knowledge and entered upon it. Thus the Dhamma that Rāma knew, that Dhamma you know; and the Dhamma that you know, that Dhamma Rāma knew. Thus, as Rāma was, such are you; as you are, such was Rāma. Come now, friend — you lead this community.'
Thus, bhikkhus, Uddaka Rāmaputta, though he was my fellow practitioner of the holy life, placed me in the position of teacher and honored me with lofty honor. Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'This Dhamma does not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation (nirodha), to peace, to direct knowledge, to full awakening, to Nibbāna, but only as far as rebirth in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.' So, bhikkhus, finding that Dhamma insufficient, disenchanted with that Dhamma, I departed."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.