3.5. The Doctrine of Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta
One time, sir, I approached Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta
and exchanged greetings with him.
When the greetings and polite conversation were over, I sat down to one side,
and asked him
the same question.
He said:
‘Great king, consider a Jain ascetic who is restrained in the fourfold restraint.
And how is a Jain ascetic restrained in the fourfold restraint?
It’s when a Jain ascetic is obstructed by all water, devoted to all water, shaking off all water, pervaded by all water.
That’s how a Jain ascetic is restrained in the fourfold restraint.
When a Jain ascetic is restrained in the fourfold restraint,
they’re called a knotless one who is self-realized, self-controlled, and steadfast.’
And so, when I asked Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta about the fruits of the ascetic life apparent in the present life, he answered with the fourfold restraint.
It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.
...
I thought:
‘How could one such as I presume to rebuke an ascetic or brahmin living in my realm?’
So I neither approved nor dismissed that statement of Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta.
I was displeased, but did not express my displeasure. Neither accepting what he said nor contradicting it, I got up from my seat and left.