[235] "But, Mister Gotama, is there any other sacrifice (yañña) which, compared with this accomplishment of sacrifice (yaññasampadā) with its three modes and sixteen accessories, and with this regular giving as a propitious sacrifice …?"
"There is indeed, brahmin, another sacrifice which, compared with this accomplishment of sacrifice with its three modes and sixteen accessories, with this regular giving as a propitious sacrifice, with this gift of a dwelling, with these goings for refuge, and with these training rules, is less demanding and involves less preparation, yet is more fruitful and more beneficial."
"But what, Mister Gotama, is that other sacrifice which, compared with this accomplishment of sacrifice with its three modes … is less demanding and involves less preparation, yet is more fruitful and more beneficial?"
"Here, brahmin, a Tathāgata arises in the world, an Arahant, a Perfectly Awakened One … (all to be expanded in full as in the Sāmaññaphala) … Thus, brahmin, a bhikkhu is accomplished in virtue (sīla).
He enters upon and dwells in the first jhāna. This, brahmin, is a sacrifice which, compared with the previous sacrifices, is less demanding and involves less preparation, yet is more fruitful and more beneficial. The second jhāna. The third jhāna. He enters upon and dwells in the fourth jhāna. This too, brahmin, is a sacrifice which, compared with the previous sacrifices, is less demanding and involves less preparation, yet is more fruitful and more beneficial.
He directs and inclines the mind (citta) toward knowledge (ñāṇa) and vision … he understands: 'Destroyed is birth (jāti), the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this state of being.' This, brahmin, is a sacrifice which, compared with the previous sacrifices, is less demanding and involves less preparation, yet is more fruitful and more beneficial.
And, brahmin, there is no other accomplishment of sacrifice higher or more excellent than this accomplishment of sacrifice."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.