[649] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Koḷiyas, where there was a town of the Koḷiyas named Uttara. Then Pāṭaliya the headman (gāmaṇi) approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Pāṭaliya the headman said this to the Blessed One: "I have heard this, venerable sir: 'The ascetic Gotama knows magic (māyā).' Venerable sir, those who say thus: 'The ascetic Gotama knows magic' — do they speak in accordance with what the Blessed One has said, and not misrepresent the Blessed One with what is untrue? Do they explain in accordance with the Dhamma, so that no legitimate consequence of their assertion incurs a ground for censure? For we have no wish, venerable sir, to misrepresent the Blessed One."
"Headman, those who say thus: 'The ascetic Gotama knows magic' — they speak in accordance with what I have said and do not misrepresent me with what is untrue; they explain in accordance with the Dhamma, and no legitimate consequence of their assertion incurs a ground for censure."
"So it seems, sir, it is actually true! We did not believe those ascetics and brahmins when they said: 'The ascetic Gotama knows magic.' So then, sir, the ascetic Gotama is indeed a magician (māyāvī)!"
"Now, headman, does one who says thus: 'I know magic' thereby say thus: 'I am a magician'?"
"That is just how it is, Blessed One! That is just how it is, Fortunate One!"
"Well then, headman, I shall question you about this very point; you may answer as you see fit."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.