[604] "Just as, headman, that field which is the best, even so to me are the bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. To them I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with its meaning and with its phrasing; I proclaim the holy life (brahmacariya) utterly complete and pure. For what reason? Because these, headman, dwell with me as their island, with me as their shelter, with me as their protection, with me as their refuge.
"Just as, headman, that field which is middling, even so to me are the male and female lay followers (upāsakā, upāsikāyo). To them I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with its meaning and with its phrasing; I proclaim the holy life utterly complete and pure. For what reason? Because these, headman, dwell with me as their island, with me as their shelter, with me as their protection, with me as their refuge.
"Just as, headman, that field which is inferior—harsh ground, saline, of bad soil—even so to me are the ascetics, brahmins, and wanderers of other sects. To them too I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with its meaning and with its phrasing; I proclaim the holy life utterly complete and pure."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.