[7] Now on that occasion the Venerable Sāriputta was seated not far from the Blessed One in a certain thicket of elagalā bushes. Then those bhikkhus, having delighted in and approved of the Blessed One's words, rose from their seats, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on their right, and approached the Venerable Sāriputta. Having approached, they exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta, and when the courteous talk worthy of recollection was concluded, they sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Venerable Sāriputta: "Friend Sāriputta, we wish to go to the western country and to take up residence in the western country. We have taken leave of the Teacher."
"Friends, there are wise khattiyas, wise brahmins, wise householders, and wise ascetics who question a bhikkhu who has gone abroad to the various foreign lands—for wise people, friends, are inquisitive—asking: 'What does the teacher of the venerable ones assert? What does he declare?' I trust that the teachings (dhammā) have been well heard by you venerable ones, well grasped, well attended to, well retained, and well penetrated by wisdom, so that in answering you would state what has been said by the Blessed One and would not misrepresent the Blessed One with what is untrue, would answer in accordance with the Dhamma, and no legitimate consequence of your assertion would provide a ground for censure?"
"Friend, we would come even from afar to learn the meaning of this statement in the presence of the Venerable Sāriputta. It would be good indeed if the meaning of this statement might be made clear by the Venerable Sāriputta himself."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.