[408] Then the venerable Bhūmija, after his meal, when he had returned from almsround, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the venerable Bhūmija said this to the Blessed One:
"Venerable sir, this morning I dressed and, taking bowl and robe, went to the residence of Prince Jayasena; having arrived, I sat down on the seat prepared. Then, venerable sir, Prince Jayasena approached me; having approached, he exchanged greetings with me, and when the courteous and amiable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, venerable sir, Prince Jayasena said this to me: 'Worthy Bhūmija, there are some ascetics and brahmins who hold this doctrine, this view: "Even if one makes a wish and leads the holy life (brahmacariya), one is incapable of attaining the fruit; even if one makes no wish and leads the holy life, one is incapable of attaining the fruit; even if one both makes a wish and makes no wish and leads the holy life, one is incapable of attaining the fruit; even if one neither makes a wish nor makes no wish and leads the holy life, one is incapable of attaining the fruit." Herein, what does the worthy Bhūmija's teacher say, what view does he hold, what does he declare?'
"When this was said, venerable sir, I said this to Prince Jayasena: 'Prince, I have not heard this in the Blessed One's presence, nor received it in his presence; but this is possible, that the Blessed One might answer thus: "Even if one makes a wish and leads the holy life improperly (ayoniso), one is incapable of attaining the fruit; even if one makes no wish and leads the holy life improperly, one is incapable of attaining the fruit; even if one both makes a wish and makes no wish and leads the holy life improperly, one is incapable of attaining the fruit; even if one neither makes a wish nor makes no wish and leads the holy life improperly, one is incapable of attaining the fruit. But even if one makes a wish and leads the holy life properly (yoniso), one is capable of attaining the fruit; even if one makes no wish … even if one both makes a wish and makes no wish … even if one neither makes a wish nor makes no wish and leads the holy life properly, one is capable of attaining the fruit." Prince, I have not heard this in the Blessed One's presence, nor received it in his presence; but this is possible, that the Blessed One might answer thus.'
"[Prince Jayasena said:] 'If the worthy Bhūmija's teacher speaks thus, holds such a view, declares thus, then surely the worthy Bhūmija's teacher stands, one would think, touching the very heads of all the various ascetics and brahmins.'
"Venerable sir, being asked thus and answering thus, I trust that I spoke in accordance with what the Blessed One has said, and did not misrepresent the Blessed One with what is untrue; that I answered in conformity with the Dhamma; and that no legitimate consequence of my assertion incurs a position deserving of censure?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.