[176] "Yes, friend," those bhikkhus replied to the Venerable Ānanda, and rising from their seats they approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, the Blessed One, having recited a summary (uddesa) in brief to us without analyzing the 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 away — that base should be understood … where the tongue ceases and perception of tastes fades away — that base should be understood … where the mind ceases and perception of dhammas fades away — that base should be understood.' Not long after the Blessed One had departed, venerable sir, this occurred to us: 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited this summary in brief without analyzing the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling: "Therefore, bhikkhus, that base should be understood where the eye ceases and perception of forms fades away — that base should be understood … where the mind ceases and perception of dhammas fades away — that base should be understood." Who, now, could analyze in detail the meaning of this summary recited in brief by the Blessed One without the meaning being analyzed in detail?' Then, venerable sir, 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 summary recited in brief by the Blessed One without the meaning being analyzed in detail. Suppose we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda and, having approached, question the Venerable Ānanda about this matter.' Then, venerable sir, we approached the Venerable Ānanda and, having approached, questioned the Venerable Ānanda about this matter. And the Venerable Ānanda analyzed the meaning for us in these ways, with these terms, with these phrasings."
"Ānanda is wise, bhikkhus; Ānanda is of great wisdom, bhikkhus. If you had questioned me about this matter, I too would have answered it in just the same way as it was answered by Ānanda. Such indeed is its meaning, and thus you should remember it."
The Fourth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.