[119] Now on that occasion the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi, on that uposatha day, having washed his head and put on a new pair of linen garments, holding a handful of fresh kusa grass, was standing to one side not far from the Blessed One. The Blessed One saw the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi standing to one side not far away — his head washed on that uposatha day, wearing a new pair of linen garments, holding a handful of fresh kusa grass — and, having seen him, said this to the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi: "Why is it, brahmin, that on this uposatha day you have washed your head, put on a new pair of linen garments, and stand to one side holding a handful of fresh kusa grass? What is today for the brahmin clan?"
"Today, Master Gotama, is the brahmin clan's ceremony of descent (paccorohaṇī)."
"But in what way, brahmin, is there the ceremony of descent of the brahmins?"
"Here, Master Gotama, on the uposatha day the brahmins, having washed their heads and put on new pairs of linen garments, smear the ground with fresh cow dung, strew it with green kusa grass, and make their beds between the boundary [of sand] and the fire-chamber. Three times during that night they rise up and, with joined palms, pay homage to the fire: 'We descend to the venerable one! We descend to the venerable one!' And they satiate the fire with abundant ghee, oil, and fresh butter. And when that night has passed, they satiate brahmins with excellent food, both hard and soft. It is in this way, Master Gotama, that there is the ceremony of descent of the brahmins."
"The ceremony of descent of the brahmins, brahmin, is one thing; but the ceremony of descent in the discipline of the Noble One is quite another."
"But in what way, Master Gotama, is there the ceremony of descent in the discipline of the Noble One? It would be good if Master Gotama would teach me the Dhamma in such a way as to show how there is the ceremony of descent in the discipline of the Noble One."
"Then listen, brahmin, and attend carefully. I will speak."
"Yes, sir," the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"Here, brahmin, a noble disciple (ariyasāvaka) reflects thus: 'Wrong view (micchādiṭṭhi) has a bad result (vipāka) both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong view; he descends from wrong view. 'Wrong thought (micchāsaṅkappa) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong thought; he descends from wrong thought. 'Wrong speech (micchāvācā) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong speech; he descends from wrong speech. 'Wrong action (micchākammanta) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong action; he descends from wrong action. 'Wrong livelihood (micchā-ājīva) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong livelihood; he descends from wrong livelihood. 'Wrong effort (micchāvāyāma) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong effort; he descends from wrong effort. 'Wrong mindfulness (micchāsati) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong mindfulness; he descends from wrong mindfulness. 'Wrong concentration (micchāsamādhi) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong concentration; he descends from wrong concentration. 'Wrong knowledge (micchāñāṇa) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong knowledge; he descends from wrong knowledge. 'Wrong deliverance (micchāvimutti) has a bad result both in this very life and in the life to come.' Having reflected thus, he abandons wrong deliverance; he descends from wrong deliverance. It is in this way, brahmin, that there is the ceremony of descent in the discipline of the Noble One."
"The ceremony of descent of the brahmins, Master Gotama, is one thing; the ceremony of descent in the discipline of the Noble One is quite another. And the ceremony of descent of the brahmins is not worth a sixteenth part of this ceremony of descent in the discipline of the Noble One. Excellent, Master Gotama! … Let Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone to him for refuge for life, from this day forth."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.