[788] "Sisters, just as, of a great tree standing possessed of heartwood, the root too is impermanent and subject to change, the trunk too is impermanent and subject to change, the branches and foliage too are impermanent and subject to change, and the shadow too is impermanent and subject to change — sisters, if someone should speak thus: 'Of that great tree standing possessed of heartwood, the root is impermanent and subject to change, the trunk is impermanent and subject to change, the branches and foliage are impermanent and subject to change, but its shadow is permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change' — would he, speaking thus, be speaking rightly?"
"No, venerable sir."
"Why is that?"
"Because, venerable sir, of that great tree standing possessed of heartwood, the root is impermanent and subject to change, the trunk is impermanent and subject to change, and the branches and foliage are impermanent and subject to change — how much more so must its shadow be impermanent and subject to change."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.