[376] "Furthermore, bhikkhus, here a certain teacher, being impure in knowledge and vision (ñāṇadassana), claims: 'I am pure in knowledge and vision,' and 'My knowledge and vision is pure, bright, undefiled.' His disciples know him thus: 'This worthy teacher, being impure in knowledge and vision, claims: "I am pure in knowledge and vision," and "My knowledge and vision is pure, bright, undefiled." Now if we were to inform the householders, it would not be pleasing to him; and how could we address him with that which is displeasing to him? Moreover, he shows us his regard with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Whatever he himself does, by that he himself will be known.' A teacher of such a kind, bhikkhus, his disciples guard with respect to knowledge and vision; and a teacher of such a kind expects to be guarded by his disciples with respect to knowledge and vision.
"These, bhikkhus, are the five teachers existing and found in the world.
"But I, bhikkhus, being pure in virtue (sīla), claim: 'I am pure in virtue,' and 'My virtue is pure, bright, undefiled.' And my disciples do not guard me with respect to virtue, nor do I expect to be guarded by my disciples with respect to virtue.
"And I, bhikkhus, being pure in livelihood (ājīva) … being pure in the teaching of the Dhamma (dhammadesanā) … being pure in explanations (veyyākaraṇa) … being pure in knowledge and vision, claim: 'I am pure in knowledge and vision,' and 'My knowledge and vision is pure, bright, undefiled.' And my disciples do not guard me with respect to knowledge and vision, nor do I expect to be guarded by my disciples with respect to knowledge and vision.
"It is impossible, bhikkhus, there is no chance, that anyone could deprive a Tathāgata of life by another's aggression; Tathāgatas do not attain final Nibbāna (parinibbāna) through another's aggression. Go, bhikkhus, each to your own dwelling; Tathāgatas, bhikkhus, need no guarding."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.