[739] "Being one who sought what is wholesome, Bhāradvāja, searching for the unsurpassed, supreme state of peace (santivarapada), I approached Uddaka Rāmaputta, and having approached, I said to Uddaka Rāmaputta: 'Friend Rāma, I wish to live the holy life (brahmacariya) in this Dhamma and Discipline.' When this was said, Bhāradvāja, Uddaka Rāmaputta said to me: 'Let the venerable one stay. This Dhamma is such that a wise man may in no long time realize for himself through direct knowledge (abhiññā) his own teacher's doctrine, and dwell having attained it.' In no long time, Bhāradvāja, quite swiftly, I mastered that Dhamma. To that extent — by mere smacking of the lips, by mere repetition of what was recited — I spoke the doctrine of knowledge (ñāṇavāda) and the doctrine of the elders (theravāda), and I claimed, 'I know, I see' — I as well as others.
Then, Bhāradvāja, it occurred to me: 'It is not by mere faith (saddhā) alone that Rāma declares: "Having realized this Dhamma for myself through direct knowledge, I dwell having attained it." Surely Rāma dwells knowing and seeing this Dhamma.' Then, Bhāradvāja, I approached Uddaka Rāmaputta, and having approached, I said to Uddaka Rāmaputta: 'To what extent, friend Rāma, do you declare that, having realized this Dhamma for yourself through direct knowledge, you have attained it?' When this was said, Bhāradvāja, Uddaka Rāmaputta declared the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception (nevasaññānāsaññāyatana).
Then, Bhāradvāja, it occurred to me: 'It was not Rāma alone who had faith; I too have faith. It was not Rāma alone who had energy … mindfulness … concentration (samādhi) … wisdom; I too have wisdom. Suppose I were to strive for the realization of that Dhamma of which Rāma declared: "Having realized it for myself through direct knowledge, I dwell having attained it."' In no long time, Bhāradvāja, quite swiftly, I realized that Dhamma for myself through direct knowledge and dwelt having attained it.
Then, Bhāradvāja, I approached Uddaka Rāmaputta, and having approached, I said to Uddaka Rāmaputta: 'Is it to this extent, friend Rāma, that you declare that, having realized this Dhamma for yourself through direct knowledge, you have attained it?' — 'It is to this extent, friend, that I declare that, having realized this Dhamma for myself through direct knowledge, I have attained it.' — 'I too, friend, to this extent have realized this Dhamma for myself through direct knowledge and dwell having attained it.' — 'It is a gain for us, friend, it is well gained by us, that we see such a venerable one as a companion in the holy life. Thus the Dhamma which Rāma, having realized for himself through direct knowledge and attained, declared — that Dhamma you have realized for yourself through direct knowledge, and you dwell having attained it; and the Dhamma which you have realized for yourself through direct knowledge and dwell having attained — that Dhamma Rāma, having realized for himself through direct knowledge and attained, declared. Thus the Dhamma that Rāma directly knew, that Dhamma you know; the Dhamma that you know, that Dhamma Rāma directly knew. Thus, as Rāma was, so are you; as you are, so was Rāma. Come now, friend: you lead this community.'
Thus, Bhāradvāja, Uddaka Rāmaputta, though he was my companion in the holy life, set me in the very position of teacher, and honored me with lofty honor. Then, Bhāradvāja, it occurred to me: 'This Dhamma does not lead to disenchantment, nor to dispassion, nor to cessation, nor to calm, nor to direct knowledge, nor to awakening, nor to Nibbāna, but only as far as rebirth in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.' So, Bhāradvāja, finding that Dhamma insufficient, disenchanted with that Dhamma, I departed."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.