[252] When this was said, the wanderer Vacchagotta said to the Blessed One: "Master Gotama, suppose there were a great sāla tree not far from a village or a town, and through impermanence its branches and foliage were to fall away, its bark and shoots were to fall away, its softwood were to fall away; at a later time, rid of branches and foliage, rid of bark and shoots, rid of softwood, it would stand established in the pure heartwood alone. In the same way, Master Gotama's word is rid of branches and foliage, rid of bark and shoots, rid of softwood, established in the pure heartwood alone.
Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent, Master Gotama! Just as one might set upright what has been overturned, or uncover what has been concealed, or point out the way to one who is lost, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness so that those with eyes might see forms — even so has the Dhamma been made clear in many ways by Master Gotama. I go to Master Gotama for refuge, and to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower (upāsaka) who has gone for refuge for life, from this day forward."
The Aggivacchagotta Sutta, the second, is finished.
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Mahāvacchagotta Sutta
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.