[514] Then, wandering by stages, I came at length to Bārāṇasī, to the Deer Park at Isipatana, and approached the bhikkhus of the group of five (pañcavaggiyā bhikkhū). Prince, the bhikkhus of the group of five saw me coming while I was still far off, and on seeing me they made an agreement among themselves: "Friends, here comes the ascetic Gotama, who lives in abundance, who has wavered from his striving and reverted to abundance. He should not be venerated, nor should we rise for him, nor should his bowl and robe be received; but a seat may be set out—if he wishes, he will sit down." Yet, Prince, in whatever way I approached the bhikkhus of the group of five, in just that way the bhikkhus of the group of five were unable to keep to their own agreement. Some came out to meet me and received my bowl and robe; some prepared a seat; some set out water for the feet. But still they addressed me by name and with the appellation "friend" (āvuso).
When this was said, Prince, I said to the bhikkhus of the group of five: "Bhikkhus, do not address the Tathāgata by name and with the appellation 'friend.' Bhikkhus, the Tathāgata is an Arahant, fully self-awakened. Lend ear, bhikkhus: the Deathless (amata) has been attained. I shall instruct you; I shall teach the Dhamma. Practicing as instructed, before long you will realize for yourselves with direct knowledge (abhiññā), in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life (brahmacariya) for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness, and having entered upon it, you will abide in it."
When this was said, Prince, the bhikkhus of the group of five said to me: "Friend Gotama, even by that conduct, that practice, that performance of austerities, you did not attain any superhuman state, any distinction in knowledge (ñāṇa) and vision worthy of the noble ones. How then, now that you live in abundance, have wavered from your striving and reverted to abundance, will you attain any superhuman state, any distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones?"
When this was said, Prince, I said to the bhikkhus of the group of five: "Bhikkhus, the Tathāgata does not live in abundance, has not wavered from his striving, and has not reverted to abundance. Bhikkhus, the Tathāgata is an Arahant, fully self-awakened. Lend ear, bhikkhus: the Deathless has been attained. I shall instruct you; I shall teach the Dhamma. Practicing as instructed, before long you will realize for yourselves with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness, and having entered upon it, you will abide in it."
A second time, Prince, the bhikkhus of the group of five said to me: "Friend Gotama, even by that conduct, that practice, that performance of austerities, you did not attain any superhuman state, any distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. How then, now that you live in abundance, have wavered from your striving and reverted to abundance, will you attain any superhuman state, any distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones?"
A second time, Prince, I said to the bhikkhus of the group of five: "Bhikkhus, the Tathāgata does not live in abundance, has not wavered from his striving, and has not reverted to abundance. Bhikkhus, the Tathāgata is an Arahant, fully self-awakened. Lend ear, bhikkhus: the Deathless has been attained. I shall instruct you; I shall teach the Dhamma. Practicing as instructed, before long you will realize for yourselves with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness, and having entered upon it, you will abide in it."
A third time, Prince, the bhikkhus of the group of five said to me: "Friend, even by that conduct, that practice, that performance of austerities, you did not attain any superhuman state, any distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. How then, now that you live in abundance, have wavered from your striving and reverted to abundance, will you attain any superhuman state, any distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones?"
When this was said, Prince, I said to the bhikkhus of the group of five: "Bhikkhus, do you acknowledge that I have ever spoken to you in this way before now?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
"Bhikkhus, the Tathāgata is an Arahant, fully self-awakened. Lend ear, bhikkhus: the Deathless has been attained. I shall instruct you; I shall teach the Dhamma. Practicing as instructed, before long you will realize for yourselves with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness, and having entered upon it, you will abide in it."
Prince, I was able to convince the bhikkhus of the group of five. At times, Prince, I instructed two bhikkhus while three bhikkhus went for alms; and on what the three bhikkhus brought back from the alms round, the six of us lived. At times, Prince, I instructed three bhikkhus while two bhikkhus went for alms; and on what they brought back, the six of us lived. Then, Prince, the bhikkhus of the group of five, being thus advised and thus instructed by me, before long realized for themselves with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness, and having entered upon it, they abided in it.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.