[513] On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta was dwelling among the Vajjis at Ukkacelā, on the bank of the river Gaṅgā. Then the wanderer Sāmaṇḍaka approached the Venerable Sāriputta; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta, and when they had concluded their cordial and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the wanderer Sāmaṇḍaka said to the Venerable Sāriputta:
"'Nibbāna, Nibbāna,' friend Sāriputta, it is said. What now, friend, is Nibbāna?"
"The destruction of lust (rāga), the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion — this, friend, is called Nibbāna."
"But is there, friend, a path, is there a way of practice (paṭipadā) for the realization of this Nibbāna?"
"There is, friend, a path, there is a way of practice for the realization of this Nibbāna."
"And what, friend, is the path, what is the way of practice for the realization of this Nibbāna?"
"It is just this Noble Eightfold Path, friend, for the realization of this Nibbāna; that is: right view … right concentration (samādhi). This, friend, is the path, this is the way of practice for the realization of this Nibbāna."
"Excellent, friend, is the path, excellent the way of practice for the realization of this Nibbāna — and enough, friend Sāriputta, for diligence." …
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.