[737] When this was said, the householder Anāthapiṇḍika wept and shed tears. Then the venerable Ānanda said this to the householder Anāthapiṇḍika: "Are you sinking down, householder? Are you foundering, householder?"
"I am not sinking down, venerable Ānanda, nor am I foundering. But although for a long time I have attended upon the Teacher and the bhikkhus (bhikkhu) worthy of esteem (manobhāvanīya), never before have I heard such a talk on the Dhamma."
"Householder, such a talk on the Dhamma does not present itself to white-clothed householders; it is to those gone forth, householder, that such a talk on the Dhamma presents itself."
"Then, venerable Sāriputta, let such a talk on the Dhamma present itself to white-clothed householders as well. For there are, venerable sir, clansmen (kulaputta) with little dust in their eyes by nature who are falling away through not hearing the Dhamma; there will be those who understand the Dhamma."
Then the venerable Sāriputta and the venerable Ānanda, having advised the householder Anāthapiṇḍika with this advice, rose from their seats and departed.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.