[641] 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 at one side. Seated at one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna:
"Friend Kaccāna, the Blessed One, having recited this summary statement (uddesa) in brief to us — 'Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should examine in such a way that, as he examines, his consciousness (viññāṇa) is unscattered and undiffused externally, and unfixed internally, and, by not grasping, he would not be agitated. Bhikkhus, when consciousness is unscattered and undiffused externally, when it is unfixed internally, then for one who, by not grasping, is unagitated, there is no coming-to-be of the origin (samudaya) of the suffering (dukkha) of birth, aging, and death (jāti, jarā, maraṇa) in the future' — rose from his seat and entered the dwelling without analysing the meaning in detail.
"Friend Kaccāna, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to us: 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited this summary statement in brief to us — "Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should examine in such a way that, as he examines, his consciousness is unscattered and undiffused externally, and unfixed internally, and, by not grasping, he would not be agitated. Bhikkhus, when consciousness is unscattered and undiffused externally, when it is unfixed internally, then for one who, by not grasping, is unagitated, there is no coming-to-be of the origin of the suffering of birth, aging, and death in the future" — rose from his seat and entered the dwelling without analysing the meaning in detail. Who now could analyse in detail the meaning of this summary statement recited in brief by the Blessed One, its meaning not analysed in detail?'
"Then, friend Kaccāna, this occurred to us: 'This Venerable Mahākaccāna is both praised by the Teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life; and the Venerable Mahākaccāna is capable of analysing in detail the meaning of this summary statement recited in brief by the Blessed One, its meaning not analysed in detail. Suppose we were to approach the Venerable Mahākaccāna and, having approached, question the Venerable Mahākaccāna about this matter.' May the Venerable Mahākaccāna please analyse it."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.