[582] When this was said, the naked ascetic Kassapa said to Citta the householder: "It is wonderful indeed, sir! It is marvellous indeed, sir — the well-expounded nature of the Dhamma, in that a layman clothed in white will attain such a superhuman state (uttarimanussadhamma), a distinction of knowledge (ñāṇa) and vision worthy of the noble ones, a comfortable abiding! Householder, may I obtain the going forth (pabbajjā) in this Dhamma and Discipline; may I obtain the higher ordination (upasampadā)."
Then Citta the householder, taking the naked ascetic Kassapa, approached the elder bhikkhus; having approached, he said to the elder bhikkhus: "Venerable sirs, this naked ascetic Kassapa is a former companion of ours from lay life. Let the elders give him the going forth, let them give him the higher ordination. I shall be zealous on his behalf in regard to robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick."
The naked ascetic Kassapa obtained the going forth in this Dhamma and Discipline; he obtained the higher ordination. And not long after his higher ordination, the Venerable Kassapa, dwelling alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent (ātāpī), and resolute, in no long time realized for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life for the sake of which sons of good family rightly go forth from the household life into homelessness, and having entered upon it, he dwelt therein. He knew directly: "Birth (jāti) is destroyed, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done; there is no more of this state of being." And the Venerable Kassapa became one of the arahants.
The ninth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.