[198] Then, when the Blessed One had eaten and had withdrawn his hand from the bowl, the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa took a certain low seat and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa said this to the Blessed One: "Worthy Gotama, if, when I am in the midst of an assembly, I were to rise from my seat and pay homage to the worthy Gotama, that assembly would look down upon me on that account. And one whom that assembly looks down upon, his reputation would diminish; and one whose reputation diminishes, his wealth too would diminish; for it is through reputation that our wealth is obtained. Worthy Gotama, if, when I am in the midst of an assembly, I raise my joined palms (añjali), may the worthy Gotama take that as my rising from my seat. And if, worthy Gotama, when I am in the midst of an assembly, I remove my turban, may the worthy Gotama take that as my paying homage with my head. And if, worthy Gotama, when I am travelling in a carriage, I were to descend from the carriage and pay homage to the worthy Gotama, that assembly would look down upon me on that account. And one whom that assembly looks down upon, his reputation would diminish; and one whose reputation diminishes, his wealth too would diminish; for it is through reputation that our wealth is obtained. Worthy Gotama, if, when I am travelling in a carriage, I raise up my goad-stick, may the worthy Gotama take that as my descending from the carriage. And if, worthy Gotama, when I am travelling in a carriage, I lower my parasol, may the worthy Gotama take that as my paying homage with my head."
Then the Blessed One, having instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa with a talk on Dhamma, rose from his seat and departed.
The Soṇadaṇḍa Sutta, the fourth, is concluded.
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Kūṭadanta Sutta, the fifth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.