[78] Then Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, together with a large company of Nigaṇṭhas, approached the residence of the householder Upāli. The gatekeeper saw Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta coming from afar; having seen him, he said this to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Halt, venerable sir, do not enter. From this day forth the householder Upāli has gone to discipleship under the ascetic Gotama. The door is closed to the Nigaṇṭhas and the Nigaṇṭhīs; the door is open to the Blessed One's disciples—the bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, laymen, and laywomen. If, venerable sir, you have need of almsfood, wait right here; they will bring it to you right here."
"Then, friend gatekeeper, go to the householder Upāli, and having approached, say this to the householder Upāli: 'Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, venerable sir, together with a large company of Nigaṇṭhas, is standing at the outer gatehouse; he wishes to see you.'" "Yes, venerable sir," the gatekeeper replied to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, and he went to the householder Upāli; having approached, he said this to the householder Upāli: "Venerable sir, Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, together with a large company of Nigaṇṭhas, is standing at the outer gatehouse; he wishes to see you."
"Then, friend gatekeeper, prepare seats in the hall of the middle gate." "Yes, venerable sir," the gatekeeper replied to the householder Upāli, and having prepared seats in the hall of the middle gate, he went to the householder Upāli; having approached, he said this to the householder Upāli: "Venerable sir, seats have been prepared in the hall of the middle gate; now is the time for whatever you think fit."
Then the householder Upāli went to the hall of the middle gate, and having approached, he himself sat down there upon the seat that was the foremost, best, highest, and most excellent, and addressed the gatekeeper: "Then, friend gatekeeper, go to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, and having approached, say this to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: 'Venerable sir, the householder Upāli says this: Enter, venerable sir, if you wish.'" "Yes, venerable sir," the gatekeeper replied to the householder Upāli, and he went to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta; having approached, he said this to Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Venerable sir, the householder Upāli says this: 'Enter, venerable sir, if you wish.'"
Then Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, together with a large company of Nigaṇṭhas, went to the hall of the middle gate.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.