[281] Bhikkhus, should any ascetic or brahmin whatever think that this exposition of the Dhamma on the Great Forty (Mahācattārīsaka) is to be censured, is to be rejected, then in this very life ten legitimate consequences of his assertion (vādānuvādā) come to a state deserving censure. If the honorable one censures right view, then those ascetics and brahmins who are of wrong view are to be honored by him, are to be praised by him. If the honorable one censures right intention, then those ascetics and brahmins who are of wrong intention are to be honored by him, are to be praised by him. If the honorable one censures right speech … if the honorable one censures right action … if the honorable one censures right livelihood … if the honorable one censures right effort … if the honorable one censures right mindfulness … if the honorable one censures right concentration (samādhi) … if the honorable one censures right knowledge (ñāṇa) … if the honorable one censures right liberation, then those ascetics and brahmins who are of wrong liberation are to be honored by him, are to be praised by him.
Bhikkhus, should any ascetics or brahmins whatever think that this exposition of the Dhamma on the Great Forty is to be censured, is to be rejected, then in this very life these ten legitimate consequences of assertion come to a state deserving censure. Bhikkhus, even Vassa and Bhañña of Ukkalā, who were proponents of non-causality (ahetuvāda), proponents of non-doing (akiriyavāda), proponents of nihilism (natthikavāda) — even they would not think that the exposition of the Dhamma on the Great Forty is to be censured, is to be rejected. For what reason? For fear of blame, hostility, and rebuke.
Thus spoke the Blessed One. Elated, those bhikkhus rejoiced in the Blessed One's words.
The Mahācattārīsaka Sutta, the seventh, is concluded.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.