[606] "Just as, headman, that waterpot which is without cracks, which does not let water seep out and does not let it leak away — 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; I proclaim the holy life (brahmacariya) with its meaning and its phrasing, entirely complete and pure. For what reason? Because, headman, these dwell with me as their island, with me as their shelter, with me as their protection, with me as their refuge (saraṇa).
Just as, headman, that waterpot which is without cracks but which lets water seep out and leak away — even so to me are the male and female lay followers. To them I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; I proclaim the holy life with its meaning and its phrasing, entirely complete and pure. For what reason? Because, headman, these 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 waterpot which is cracked, which lets water seep out and leak away — 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; I proclaim the holy life with its meaning and its phrasing, entirely complete and pure. For what reason? Because perhaps they might understand even a single sentence, and that would be for their welfare and happiness for a long time."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.