[76] Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha heard: "It is said that the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama." Then Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha approached Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta; having approached, he said this to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Venerable sir, I have heard this: it is said that the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama."
"Tapassī, it is impossible, it cannot come to pass, that the householder Upāli should become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama; but it is possible that the ascetic Gotama should become a disciple of the householder Upāli."
For a second time Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha said this to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Venerable sir, I have heard this: it is said that the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama."
"Tapassī, it is impossible, it cannot come to pass, that the householder Upāli should become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama; but it is possible that the ascetic Gotama should become a disciple of the householder Upāli."
For a third time Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha said this to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Venerable sir, I have heard this: it is said that the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama."
"Tapassī, it is impossible, it cannot come to pass, that the householder Upāli should become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama; but it is possible that the ascetic Gotama should become a disciple of the householder Upāli."
"Well then, venerable sir, I shall go and find out whether the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama or not."
"Go, Tapassī, and find out whether the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama or not."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.