[174] Then those bhikkhus approached the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, they exchanged friendly greetings with the Venerable Ānanda, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Venerable Ānanda: "Friend Ānanda, the Blessed One, having recited this synopsis (uddesa) in brief without analyzing its meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling: 'Therefore, bhikkhus, that sense base (āyatana) should be understood, where the eye ceases and perception of forms fades away¹ — that sense base should be understood … where the tongue ceases and perception of tastes fades away — that sense base should be understood … where the mind ceases and perception of dhammas fades away — that sense base should be understood.'
"Then, friend, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to us: 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited this synopsis in brief without analyzing its meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling: "Therefore, bhikkhus, that sense base should be understood, where the eye ceases and perception of forms fades away — that sense base should be understood … where the tongue ceases and perception of tastes fades away — that sense base should be understood … where the mind ceases and perception of dhammas fades away — that sense base should be understood." Who, now, could analyze in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One without its meaning being analyzed in detail?'
"Then, friend, this occurred to us: 'This Venerable Ānanda is praised by the Teacher himself and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life, and the Venerable Ānanda is capable of analyzing in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One without its meaning being analyzed in detail. Suppose we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda and, having approached, question the Venerable Ānanda about this matter.' Let the Venerable Ānanda analyze it."
[The Venerable Ānanda replied:] "Just as if,² friends, a man needing heartwood, seeking heartwood, wandering in search of heartwood, … of a great tree …" … "Let the Venerable Ānanda analyze it without finding it burdensome."
¹ [Editorial note in source: the Yu. edition reads nirujjhati ("ceases"); so too below.]
² [Editorial note in source: in the M. and Yu. editions the word nāma is absent.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.