[156] "Ānanda, that anyone, without relying on the path (magga) and the practice (paṭipadā) that leads to the abandoning of the five lower fetters (pañc'orambhāgiyāni saṃyojanāni), will know, or see, or abandon the five lower fetters — this is not possible. Suppose, Ānanda, there were a great tree standing possessed of heartwood: that one will cut out the heartwood without having cut through the bark and without having cut through the sapwood — this is not possible. In the same way, Ānanda, that anyone, without relying on the path and the practice that leads to the abandoning of the five lower fetters, will know, or see, or abandon the five lower fetters — this is not possible.
But, Ānanda, that anyone, by relying on the path and the practice that leads to the abandoning of the five lower fetters, will know, or see, or abandon the five lower fetters — this is possible. Suppose, Ānanda, there were a great tree standing possessed of heartwood: that one will cut out the heartwood after having cut through the bark and having cut through the sapwood — this is possible. In the same way, Ānanda, that anyone, by relying on the path and the practice that leads to the abandoning of the five lower fetters, will know, or see, or abandon the five lower fetters — this is possible.
Suppose, Ānanda, the river Gaṅgā were full of water, brimming level with its banks, so that a crow could drink from it. Then a feeble man might come, thinking: 'Cutting across the stream of this river Gaṅgā with my arms, I shall go safely to the far shore.' But he would not be able, cutting across the stream of the river Gaṅgā with his arms, to go safely to the far shore. In the same way, Ānanda, when the Dhamma is being taught to anyone for the cessation (nirodha) of identity (sakkāya), if his mind (citta) does not leap forward, does not gain confidence, does not become steady, is not released — such persons should be regarded as like that feeble man.
Suppose, Ānanda, the river Gaṅgā were full of water, brimming level with its banks, so that a crow could drink from it. Then a strong man might come, thinking: 'Cutting across the stream of this river Gaṅgā with my arms, I shall go safely to the far shore.' And he would be able, cutting across the stream of the river Gaṅgā with his arms, to go safely to the far shore. In the same way, Ānanda, when the Dhamma is being taught to anyone for the cessation of identity, if his mind leaps forward, gains confidence, becomes steady, is released — such persons should be regarded as like that strong man."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.