[553] Then those bhikkhus approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; and having approached, they exchanged greetings with the Venerable Mahākaccāna. When the courteous and amiable talk was concluded, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna: "Friend Kaccāna, the Blessed One, having recited this summary in brief to us without analyzing the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling:
'One should not run back to the past …
It is he, truly, that the peaceful sage declares
one of a single excellent night (bhaddekaratta).'
Then, friend Kaccāna, soon after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to us: 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited this summary in brief to us without analyzing the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling:
"One should not run back to the past …
It is he, truly, that the peaceful sage declares
one of a single excellent night."
Who, indeed, could analyze in detail the meaning of this summary recited in brief by the Blessed One, its meaning not analyzed in detail?' Then, friend Kaccāna, this occurred to us: 'This Venerable Mahākaccāna is commended by the Teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life; and the Venerable Mahākaccāna is capable of analyzing in detail … the meaning of this summary recited in brief by the Blessed One, its meaning not analyzed in detail. Suppose, then, we were to approach the Venerable Mahākaccāna, and having approached, question the Venerable Mahākaccāna about this matter.' May the Venerable Mahākaccāna please analyze it."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.