[1624] "Venerable sir, is the Blessed One free from illness and strong?"
"Friend, the Blessed One is free from illness and strong."
"But, venerable sir, are Sāriputta and Moggallāna free from illness and strong?"
"Friend, Sāriputta and Moggallāna too are free from illness and strong."
"But, venerable sir, is the Saṅgha of bhikkhus free from illness and strong?"
"Friend, the Saṅgha of bhikkhus too is free from illness and strong."
"But, venerable sir, is there anything you have heard in the presence of the Blessed One, received in his presence, during this rains residence?"
"Friend, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard this, in his presence I received it: 'Bhikkhus, few are those bhikkhus who, by the destruction of the taints (āsava), realize for themselves with direct knowledge, in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind (cetovimutti) and liberation by wisdom (paññāvimutti), and, having entered upon it, dwell therein; rather, more numerous are those bhikkhus who, with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters (saṃyojana), are of spontaneous rebirth (opapātika), due to attain final Nibbāna there, not subject to returning from that world.'
"Further, friend, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard this, in his presence I received it: 'Bhikkhus, few are those bhikkhus who, with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters, are of spontaneous rebirth, due to attain final Nibbāna there, not subject to returning from that world; rather, more numerous are those bhikkhus who, with the utter destruction of three fetters and with the attenuation of lust (rāga), hatred, and delusion, are once-returners (sakadāgāmī) who, having come back to this world only once more, will make an end of suffering (dukkha).'
"Further, friend, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard this, in his presence I received it: 'Bhikkhus, few are those bhikkhus who, with the utter destruction of three fetters and with the attenuation of lust, hatred, and delusion, are once-returners who, having come back to this world only once more, will make an end of suffering; rather, more numerous are those bhikkhus who, with the utter destruction of three fetters, are stream-enterers (sotāpanna), not subject to the lower realms, fixed in destiny, with awakening as their destination.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.