[228] Then the Venerable Dāsaka approached the elder bhikkhus; having approached, he said this to the elder bhikkhus: "Friends, the bhikkhu Khemaka says thus: 'Friends, these five aggregates subject to clinging (upādānakkhandhā) have been spoken of by the Blessed One; namely, the form (rūpa) aggregate subject to clinging … the consciousness (viññāṇa) aggregate subject to clinging. In these five aggregates subject to clinging, friends, I do not regard anything as self or as belonging to self; and yet I am not an Arahant, one whose taints (āsava) are destroyed. Rather, friends, with regard to these five aggregates subject to clinging, the notion "I am" still occurs to me, yet I do not regard [any of them] as "This I am."'"
"Come, friend Dāsaka, approach the bhikkhu Khemaka; having approached, say this to the bhikkhu Khemaka: 'Friend Khemaka, the elders say this to you: That which you speak of, friend Khemaka, as "I am" — what is it that you speak of as "I am"? Do you speak of form as "I am," or do you speak of "I am" apart from form? Do you speak of feeling (vedanā) … perception (saññā) … volitional formations (saṅkhārā) … consciousness as "I am" … or do you speak of "I am" apart from consciousness? That which you speak of, friend Khemaka, as "I am" — what is it that you speak of as "I am"?'"
"Yes, friends," the Venerable Dāsaka replied to the elder bhikkhus, and he approached the Venerable Khemaka; having approached, he said this to the Venerable Khemaka: "Friend Khemaka, the elders say this to you: 'That which you speak of, friend Khemaka, as "I am" — what is it that you speak of as "I am"? Do you speak of form as "I am," or do you speak of "I am" apart from form? Do you speak of feeling … perception … volitional formations … consciousness as "I am," or do you speak of "I am" apart from consciousness? That which you speak of, friend Khemaka, as "I am" — what is it that you speak of as "I am"?'"
"Enough, friend Dāsaka! What is the point of this running back and forth? Bring my staff, friend; I myself shall approach the elder bhikkhus."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.