[143] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then, in the morning, the Blessed One dressed, took his bowl and robe, and entered Vesālī for alms. Now on that occasion some five hundred Licchavis, seated and assembled together at the Sārandada Shrine, had this conversation arise among them: "The appearance of five treasures (ratana) is rare in the world. Of which five? The appearance of the elephant-treasure is rare in the world; the appearance of the horse-treasure is rare in the world; the appearance of the jewel-treasure is rare in the world; the appearance of the woman-treasure is rare in the world; the appearance of the householder-treasure is rare in the world. The appearance of these five treasures is rare in the world."
Then those Licchavis sent a man onto the road, saying: "Good man, when you see the Blessed One coming, then you should inform us." That man saw the Blessed One coming from afar; having seen him, he approached those Licchavis and said to them: "This Blessed One is coming, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One. Now do what you think it is time for."
Then those Licchavis approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid homage to the Blessed One and stood to one side. Standing to one side, those Licchavis said to the Blessed One: "It would be good, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would approach the Sārandada Shrine, out of compassion." The Blessed One consented by silence. Then the Blessed One approached the Sārandada Shrine; having approached, he sat down on the seat that had been prepared. Having sat down, the Blessed One said to those Licchavis: "For what conversation, Licchavis, are you sitting together here now? And what was the conversation among you that was left unfinished?"
"Here, venerable sir, as we were seated and assembled together, this conversation arose among us: 'The appearance of five treasures is rare in the world. Of which five? The appearance of the elephant-treasure is rare in the world; of the horse-treasure … of the jewel-treasure … of the woman-treasure … the appearance of the householder-treasure is rare in the world. The appearance of these five treasures is rare in the world.'"
"Truly, Licchavis, being intent upon sensual pleasures, a conversation arose among you concerning just sensual pleasures! The appearance of five treasures, Licchavis, is rare in the world. Of which five? The appearance of a Tathāgata, an Arahant, a Fully Self-Enlightened One, is rare in the world. A person who teaches the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata is rare in the world. A person who understands the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata [when it has been taught] is rare in the world. A person who, having understood the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata when it has been taught, practices in accordance with the Dhamma is rare in the world. A grateful person, one who repays what has been done, is rare in the world. The appearance of these five treasures, Licchavis, is rare in the world."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.