[539] Then Citta the householder approached the elder bhikkhus; having approached, he paid homage to the elder bhikkhus and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Citta the householder said this to the elder bhikkhus: "Venerable sirs, I have heard that when a number of elder bhikkhus, having returned from the alms round after their meal, were sitting together, assembled in the pavilion hall, this conversation arose among them: 'Friends, "the fetter (saṃyojana)" and "the things that fetter (saṃyojaniyā dhammā)" — are these things different in meaning and different in phrasing, or are they one in meaning, differing only in phrasing?' Some elder bhikkhus answered thus: 'Friends, "the fetter" and "the things that fetter" — these things are different in meaning and also different in phrasing.' Some elder bhikkhus answered thus: 'Friends, "the fetter" and "the things that fetter" — these things are one in meaning, differing only in phrasing.'"
"So it is, householder."
"Venerable sirs, 'the fetter' and 'the things that fetter' — these things are different in meaning and also different in phrasing. Well then, venerable sirs, I shall make a simile for you; for here some wise persons understand the meaning of what is said even by means of a simile."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.