[648] At that time the Blessed One, the Buddha, was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the Veḷuvana, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time in Rājagaha there was a group of seventeen boys who were friends, and the boy Upāli was their leader. Then it occurred to Upāli's mother and father: "By what means might Upāli, after our passing, live happily and not be in hardship?" Then it occurred to Upāli's mother and father: "If Upāli were to learn writing, then Upāli, after our passing, would live happily and not be in hardship." Then it occurred to Upāli's mother and father: "If Upāli learns writing, his fingers will become painful. But if Upāli were to learn calculation, then Upāli, after our passing, would live happily and not be in hardship." Then it occurred to Upāli's mother and father: "If Upāli learns calculation, his chest will become painful. But if Upāli were to learn figures (rūpa), then Upāli, after our passing, would live happily and not be in hardship." Then it occurred to Upāli's mother and father: "If Upāli learns figures, his eyes will become painful. Now these ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, are of comfortable habits and of comfortable conduct; having eaten good meals, they sleep in beds sheltered from the wind. If Upāli were to go forth among the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, then Upāli, after our passing, would live happily and not be in hardship."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.