[194] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Now on that occasion the brahmin Kāraṇapālī was superintending the work of the Licchavis. The brahmin Kāraṇapālī saw the brahmin Piṅgiyānī coming in the distance, and having seen him, he said to the brahmin Piṅgiyānī: "Well now, where is Master Piṅgiyānī coming from in the middle of the day?"
"I am coming here, sir, from the presence of the ascetic Gotama."
"What does Master Piṅgiyānī think of the ascetic Gotama's lucidity of wisdom (paññāveyyattiya)? Does he think him a wise man?"
"Who am I, sir, and who am I that I should know the ascetic Gotama's lucidity of wisdom? Surely only one who was his equal could know the ascetic Gotama's lucidity of wisdom."
"Master Piṅgiyānī praises the ascetic Gotama with lofty praise indeed!"
"Who am I, sir, and who am I that I should praise the ascetic Gotama? Praised by the praised is that Master Gotama, best among devas and human beings."
"But seeing what advantage does Master Piṅgiyānī have such full confidence in the ascetic Gotama?"
"Just as, sir, a man satisfied with the finest of flavors does not long for other, inferior flavors, even so, sir, whenever one hears the Dhamma of that Master Gotama—whether as discourses (sutta), as mixed prose and verse (geyya), as expositions (veyyākaraṇa), or as marvellous accounts (abbhutadhamma)—then one does not long for the doctrines of the many other ascetics.
"Just as, sir, a man overcome by hunger and weakness might come upon a honey-ball, and wherever he tastes it he obtains only a sweet, unadulterated flavor, even so, sir, whenever one hears the Dhamma of that Master Gotama—whether as discourses, as mixed prose and verse, as expositions, or as marvellous accounts—then one obtains elation and gains confidence of mind.
"Just as, sir, a man might come upon a piece of sandalwood, whether of yellow sandalwood or of red sandalwood, and wherever he smells it—whether at the root, in the middle, or at the top—he obtains only a fragrant, unadulterated scent, even so, sir, whenever one hears the Dhamma of that Master Gotama—whether as discourses, as mixed prose and verse, as expositions, or as marvellous accounts—then one obtains gladness, one obtains joy.
"Just as, sir, a man might be afflicted, suffering, gravely ill, and a skilled physician might remove his affliction on the spot, even so, sir, whenever one hears the Dhamma of that Master Gotama—whether as discourses, as mixed prose and verse, as expositions, or as marvellous accounts—then his sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair vanish.
"Just as, sir, there might be a lotus pond with clear water, sweet water, cool water, limpid water, with smooth banks, delightful; and a man might come along, scorched by the heat, oppressed by the heat, weary, parched, and thirsty; and having plunged into that pond, having bathed and drunk, he would allay all his distress, fatigue, and fever—even so, sir, whenever one hears the Dhamma of that Master Gotama—whether as discourses, as mixed prose and verse, as expositions, or as marvellous accounts—then all his distress, fatigue, and fever are allayed."
When this was said, the brahmin Kāraṇapālī rose from his seat, arranged his upper garment over one shoulder, set his right knee upon the ground, raised his joined palms in reverence toward the Blessed One, and three times uttered this inspired utterance: "Homage to that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One! Homage to that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One! Homage to that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One!
"Excellent, Master Piṅgiyānī! Excellent, Master Piṅgiyānī! Just as, Master Piṅgiyānī, one might set upright what has been overturned, or reveal what has been concealed, or point out the way to one who has gone astray, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness so that those with eyes might see forms, even so has the Dhamma been made clear in many ways by Master Piṅgiyānī. I, Master Piṅgiyānī, go for refuge to that Master Gotama, and to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Let Master Piṅgiyānī remember me as a lay follower (upāsaka) who has gone for refuge for life from this day forward."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.