[537] The Blessed One said this: "Bhikkhus, by a bhikkhu who is an inquirer (vīmaṃsaka), not knowing the ways of another's mind (citta), the Tathāgata should be investigated in regard to two kinds of dhammas—dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear: 'Are defiled dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear found in the Tathāgata, or not?' Investigating him, he comes to know thus: 'Defiled dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear are not found in the Tathāgata.'
When, investigating him, he knows thus: 'Defiled dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear are not found in the Tathāgata,' he then investigates him further: 'Are mixed dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear found in the Tathāgata, or not?' Investigating him, he comes to know thus: 'Mixed dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear are not found in the Tathāgata.'
When, investigating him, he knows thus: 'Mixed dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear are not found in the Tathāgata,' he then investigates him further: 'Are cleansed dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear found in the Tathāgata, or not?' Investigating him, he comes to know thus: 'Cleansed dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear are found in the Tathāgata.'
When, investigating him, he knows thus: 'Cleansed dhammas cognizable by the eye and by the ear are found in the Tathāgata,' he then investigates him further: 'Has this venerable one attained this wholesome state over a long time, or has he attained it only recently?' Investigating him, he comes to know thus: 'This venerable one has attained this wholesome state over a long time; this venerable one has not attained it only recently.'
When, investigating him, he knows thus: 'This venerable one has attained this wholesome state over a long time; this venerable one has not attained it only recently,' he then investigates him further: 'This venerable bhikkhu has achieved renown and attained fame—are certain dangers found in him here?' For, bhikkhus, certain dangers are not found here in a bhikkhu so long as he has not achieved renown and attained fame; but when a bhikkhu has achieved renown and attained fame, then certain dangers are found in him here. Investigating him, he comes to know thus: 'This venerable bhikkhu has achieved renown and attained fame; certain dangers are not found in him here.'
When, investigating him, he knows thus: 'This venerable bhikkhu has achieved renown and attained fame; certain dangers are not found in him here,' he then investigates him further: 'This venerable one is restrained through fearlessness; this venerable one is not restrained through fear; being devoid of lust, he does not indulge in sensual pleasures, because of the destruction of lust.' Investigating him, he comes to know thus: 'This venerable one is restrained through fearlessness; this venerable one is not restrained through fear; being devoid of lust, he does not indulge in sensual pleasures, because of the destruction of lust.'
And if, bhikkhus, others should ask that bhikkhu thus: 'What are the venerable one's grounds, what is his evidence, by reason of which the venerable one says: "This venerable one is restrained through fearlessness; this venerable one is not restrained through fear; being devoid of lust, he does not indulge in sensual pleasures, because of the destruction of lust"?'—answering rightly, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu would answer thus: 'For it is so that this venerable one, whether dwelling in a Saṅgha or dwelling alone—while there are those there who are well-conducted and those there who are ill-conducted, and those there who instruct a group, and some here who are seen attached among material things (āmisa), and some here who are unsullied by material things—this venerable one does not despise anyone on that account. And I have heard this from the Blessed One's own presence, received it from his own presence: "I am restrained through fearlessness; I am not restrained through fear; being devoid of lust, I do not indulge in sensual pleasures, because of the destruction of lust."'
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.