[244] Then the merchant of Rājagaha, having given orders to his slaves and workmen, approached the householder Anāthapiṇḍika; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the householder Anāthapiṇḍika and sat down to one side. As he sat to one side, the householder Anāthapiṇḍika said this to the merchant of Rājagaha: "Formerly, householder, when I arrived you would set aside all your tasks and exchange greetings with me alone. But now you are preoccupied, giving orders to your slaves and workmen: 'Well then, good sirs, rise early in the morning; cook gruel, cook rice, prepare curries, prepare delicacies.' What is it, householder — will there be a taking in marriage for you, or a giving in marriage? Or is a great sacrifice (mahāyañña) at hand? Or has King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha been invited for tomorrow together with his host of troops?"
"There will be no taking in marriage for me, householder, nor will there be a giving in marriage; nor has King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha been invited for tomorrow together with his host of troops. Rather, a great sacrifice of mine is at hand: the Saṅgha (saṅgha) headed by the Buddha has been invited for tomorrow."
"'Buddha,' do you say, householder?"
"'Buddha,' I say, householder."
"'Buddha,' do you say, householder?"
"'Buddha,' I say, householder."
"'Buddha,' do you say, householder?"
"'Buddha,' I say, householder."
"Even this sound, householder, is hard to come by in the world, that is to say: 'Buddha.' Is it possible, householder, at this hour to go and see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One (arahaṃ sammāsambuddho)?"
"It is not the time, householder — this hour — to go and see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One. Tomorrow, at the proper time, you will go to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.