[121] Now at that time the Southern Region of Avanti (Avantidakkhiṇāpatha) had few bhikkhus. Then the Venerable Mahākaccāna, after the passing of three years, having with difficulty and with hardship assembled from here and there a Saṅgha of bhikkhus numbering ten (dasavagga), gave the Venerable Soṇa the full ordination (upasampadā). Then, when the Venerable Soṇa had completed the rains residence, while he was alone in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "I have not seen that Blessed One face to face; I have only heard of him: 'That Blessed One is of such and such a kind.' If my preceptor (upajjhāya) would allow me, I would go to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One." Then, in the evening, the Venerable Soṇa emerged from seclusion and approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached and paid homage to the Venerable Mahākaccāna, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Soṇa said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna: "Here, venerable sir, while I was alone in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind: 'I have not seen that Blessed One face to face; I have only heard that that Blessed One is of such and such a kind. If my preceptor would allow me, I would go to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One.'"
"Good, good, Soṇa! Go, Soṇa, to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One. You will see, Soṇa, that Blessed One, who inspires confidence and is worthy of confidence, whose faculties are at peace, whose mind is at peace, who has attained the supreme calm and taming — tamed, guarded, his faculties restrained, a nāga. Having seen him, bow your head at the Blessed One's feet in my name, and ask whether he has little affliction and little illness, is buoyant, strong, and dwelling at ease."
"Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Soṇa replied. Having delighted and rejoiced in what the Venerable Mahākaccāna had said, he rose from his seat, paid homage to the Venerable Mahākaccāna, circumambulated him keeping his right side toward him, set his lodging in order, took his bowl and robe, and set out wandering toward Sāvatthī. Wandering by stages, he came to Sāvatthī, to Jetavana, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park, and approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Soṇa said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, my preceptor, the Venerable Mahākaccāna, bows his head at the Blessed One's feet, and asks whether the Blessed One has little affliction and little illness, is buoyant, strong, and dwelling at ease." — "Bhikkhu, is it bearable for you? Is it sustainable? Have you come along the road with little fatigue? And are you not wearied by almsfood?" — "It is bearable, Blessed One; it is sustainable, Blessed One. I have come along the road with little fatigue, venerable sir, and I am not wearied by almsfood."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.