[179] Then the Venerable Ānanda approached the Venerable Sāriputta; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said this to the Venerable Sāriputta: "Friend Sāriputta, what is the cause, what is the reason, why some beings here do not attain final Nibbāna in this very life?"
"Here, friend Ānanda, beings do not understand as it really is (yathābhūta): 'These are perceptions (saññā) partaking of decline (hānabhāgiyā)'; they do not understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of stability (ṭhitibhāgiyā)'; they do not understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of distinction (visesabhāgiyā)'; they do not understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of penetration (nibbedhabhāgiyā).' This, friend Ānanda, is the cause, this is the reason, why some beings here do not attain final Nibbāna in this very life."
"But, friend Sāriputta, what is the cause, what is the reason, why some beings here attain final Nibbāna in this very life?"
"Here, friend Ānanda, beings understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of decline'; they understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of stability'; they understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of distinction'; they understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of penetration.' This, friend Ānanda, is the cause, this is the reason, why some beings here attain final Nibbāna in this very life."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.