[483] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One, while wandering on tour in the Kosalan country together with a large Saṅgha of bhikkhus, arrived at a brahmin village of the Kosalans named Sālā.
The brahmin householders of Sālā heard: "The ascetic Gotama, sirs, a son of the Sakyans, gone forth from the Sakyan clan, wandering on tour in the Kosalan country together with a large Saṅgha of bhikkhus, has arrived at Sālā. Now a good report of that worthy Gotama has spread abroad thus: 'That Blessed One is such since he is an arahant, a fully self-awakened one, accomplished in true knowledge (vijjā) and conduct, well gone (sugata), knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, awakened, blessed. Having realized it himself with direct knowledge (abhiññā), he makes known this world with its devas, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans. He teaches the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the meaning and the phrasing; he reveals the holy life (brahmacariya) entirely complete and pure. Good indeed is the sight of arahants such as these.'"
Then the brahmin householders of Sālā approached the Blessed One. Having approached, some paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down at one side; some exchanged greetings with the Blessed One and, having concluded courteous and memorable talk, sat down at one side; some raised their joined palms in salutation toward the Blessed One and sat down at one side; some announced their name and clan in the presence of the Blessed One and sat down at one side; some, keeping silent, sat down at one side. Seated at one side, the brahmin householders of Sālā said this to the Blessed One:
"What, worthy Gotama, is the cause, what is the condition, whereby some beings here, on the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a state of deprivation, a bad destination, a place of ruin, hell? And what, worthy Gotama, is the cause, what is the condition, whereby some beings here, on the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world?"
"By reason of conduct contrary to Dhamma, unrighteous conduct, householders, some beings here, on the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a state of deprivation, a bad destination, a place of ruin, hell. By reason of conduct in accordance with Dhamma, righteous conduct, householders, some beings here, on the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world."
"We do not understand in detail the meaning of this statement spoken in brief by the worthy Gotama without the meaning having been analyzed in detail. It would be good if the worthy Gotama would teach us the Dhamma in such a way that we might understand in detail the meaning of this statement spoken in brief by the worthy Gotama without the meaning having been analyzed in detail."
"Then, householders, listen and attend well; I will speak."
"Yes, sir," the brahmin householders of Sālā replied to the Blessed One.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.